Edgar A. Poe
(1809 - 1849)

The life of Edgar A. Poe was checkered by an alternating series of successes and failures, of breakdowns and recoveries, of hopes engendered and dashed -- despite which (or, perhaps, because of which) he produced brilliant literature that assured his enduring stature as America's finest writer of psychological horror and as one of her best poets. In addition, Poe is credited with defining the modern short story, creating the first literary detective (Monsieur C. Auguste Dupin), and writing some of the first science fiction.

Online Texts

• The Work of Edgar Allan Poe, a nearly complete collection of texts.

Other Poe Sites

• Bibliography of Edgar Allan Poe: Poetry

• Edgar Allan Poe Colorado State University Libraries. An excellent resource for Poe research.

• Edgar Allan Poe The Internet Public Library Online Literary Criticism Collection

• Knowing Poe: The Literature, Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poe... In Baltimore and Beyond. Maryland Public Television's educational site on the web, brings Poe to digital life for middle and high school students. Actor John Astin appears throughout site on digital video as virtual tour guide. Over 10 interactive activities for students and many primary sources. "Classroom Connections" helps teachers match the activities to appropriate reading levels and unit topics.

• Poe Bibliography
The Cambridge History of English and American Literature

• Poe Filmography at The Internet Movie Database

• PoeForward.com -- a literary arts multi-media organization that sponsors documentary work and public performances in Los Angeles. Their museum-style website presents the true story of Edgar Allan Poe, the artists and scholars who influenced Poe and who have been influenced by him. Also features goth photo galleries of cemeteries, pet rats, ghost towns, prisons, and the PoeForward "Dead Girls" collection of historical and contemporary dead girls (goth girls).

• Poe illustrations by Harry Clarke (1889 - 1931) -- The best Poe illustrator, IMHO!

• Today in History: January 19 Poe article at Library of Congress American Memory