There is a very interesting biography of Poe at the following website. It provides a needed background for any readers who may have pre-judged the poet by the subject matter of his work.

[poetry.about.com]

Once you get to that website, find the author's list and click the letter "P". Find the list of Poe's works and select this title:

Edgar Allan Poe's Complete Poetical Works (English).

The work begins with his biography.


Les



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/2021 10:59PM by lg.

Interesting. That site suggests some evil electioneers got poor Edgar drunk so he could cast several votes for their political candidate in early October, 1849. They then supposedly left him, drunken and lying in the street, to later die from such exposure. I have seen other claims that he was found by one Joseph W. Walker (no mention of where) and taken to the '4th Ward Polls' tavern to await the arrival of a doctor, being 'presumed drunk'. Was that 'election day' way back then? Yeah, seems so.

[www.eapoe.org]

Some say that the cause had to be something other than alcohol, as Poe had stopped drinking at that time:

[www.eapoe.org]

Others suggest the 'shanghai' idea is 'twaddle'. For more information and/or speculation on the cause of his death (even rabies!), see:

[www.eapoe.org]

Thanks for the links, Hugh. My question would be why would you go to such trouble to get one vote?

Les



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 08/30/2006 03:09PM by lg.

Yeah, I agree.......like the scene in Gangs of New York, going through the same trouble, full bearded man,voting, then shaving all but the moustache, then voting, then shaving that off and voting.

Later in the same movie, Tweed simply says "Remember the first rule of politics. The ballots don't make the results, the counters make the results. The counters. Keep counting."

Seems a hell of a lot easier that way......like having your brother count them, or give your big contributor the voting machine contract.

Or, like in Florida, just lose a county or two.


Les

Hugh, the part of the biography which I thought was relevant was in his early days. For some reason, I had read, or heard that Poe was sort of a recluse in his youth. This biography states clearly he was quite the opposite, being chosen to represent his school in sporting and academic contests.


Les

We missed Poe's birthday, yesterday. I hope everyone had an eerie experience on his behalf.


Les

And, the mystery roses & cognac Santa was again successful:

[tinyurl.com]

Another Poe site:

[knowingpoe.thinkport.org]

V.