Edgar Allan Poe remains a mystery to all of us. There have
been so many books and scholarly papers written about Poe, and yet, there are
so many secrets he took with him to the grave. Poe was born on January 19, 1809,
and died on October 7, 1849. Even though he was just 40 years old, and he left
us such a body of work. I always find it interesting that he died on the day
James Whitcomb Riley was born.
Most of us know the stories surrounding Poe’s life and
death. His parents were actors, even his mother which was difficult at the
time. By the time he was three years old, both parents had died, and he was put
into the home of John Allan. He was never adopted but was given the best
schooling possible. He attended the University of Virginia at Charlottesville
in 1825. He only spent one year there due to financial difficulties. He
eventually went to live with his aunt, Mrs. Maria Clemm. He wrote so many short
stories at that time. He also married his 12-year-old cousin, Virginia in 1836.
She died of tuberculosis in 1837 as had his own mother and Mrs. Allan. Is it no
wonder he wrote such Gothic tales, although many of his poems are romantic and
beautiful. Interestingly enough, he had
great interest in Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman Melville. Later other authors
were influenced by Poe including Ambrose Bierce and H.P. Lovecraft. During his
young years he was greatly influenced by Lord Byron, John Keats and Percy
Bysshe Shelley, the romantic poets.
Poe’s death still puzzles all historians and literary
critics. We do know Poe took a boat from Richmond to Baltimore on September 28,
1849. He became very ill and disoriented and died in the Washington College
Hospital. No one knows exactly what happened. He was not wearing his own
clothing and why was he in Baltimore? Theories abound about his death swirl
around tuberculosis, epilepsy, diabetes, alcoholism and someone once suggested
rabies. He was buried under the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Baltimore
with no grave marker.
Years later, the folks of Baltimore decided he needed a
real grave with a real marker and so began collecting small pieces of money.
School children collected pennies and other donations came in for his grave.
The new marker was designed by George A. Frederick. His body was moved from the
unmarked grave to a corner of the church lot where he remains today with
Virginia and Maria. The new grave was dedicated on November 17, 1875. Several
notable folks attended including Walt Whitman.
Oh my…so much information. I think I need to take a small
break for a cup of tea. While drinking my tea in the garden I had to reminisce
about the time Morgan Sauer, and I took the train to his birthday celebrations
in Richmond and Baltimore. It was a wonderful time for us, and it will always
be one of my favorite memories of Poe. We celebrated with a dram of cognac and spent
time admiring his grave. I wanted to become the Poe Toaster, but the fence was
too high!! That’s another story!
Where am I going with all of this? Oh, thank you for
asking. Each year, for thirteen years, I have hosted Edgar Allan Poe Night at
Trine. This year I have moved the location to accommodate more local folks. My
theatre group and I are hosting this event at the Cline Museum sponsored by the
Steuben County Historical Society. This event will be held October 24th
at 7 bells. (7:00 p.m.) I am so excited about this new location. If you do not
know about the Cline Museum, perhaps it is time you visit. This is the perfect
time. The address is 313 East Maumee. It is right across the street from Cameron
Hospital.
I daresay this will be a really fun event. Come on out and
let Poe’s stories and poetry add to your Halloween pleasure. Music will be
provided by Tom Adamson. Other actors in the show include Jan Thomas, Amy Oberlin
and Jacob McNeal. Here’s the catch! I need a few more voices. Do you love Poe?
Would you like to be part of our group? I would so love to chat with you.
Please send a note…email at the end of this piece.
Edgar Allan Poe is a mystery to all of us. Come on out to
the Cline Museum and decide for yourself…if you dare!