Edgar Allan Poe Night!!

 

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 24^th 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!