Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer born in 1809 to traveling actors.

Orphaned young, he was raised by a wealthy merchant in Richmond, Virginia.

Poe is known for inventing the detective story and innovating in science fiction.

He wrote short stories, poetry, essays, and literary criticism.

His most famous works include macabre tales and haunting poems.

Poe's reputation has been shaped by both his writing and the myths surrounding his life, some stemming from a defamatory biography.

Despite personal struggles, Poe became one of America's first professional writers and a significant literary figure, influencing genres like horror and mystery.