The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-03
TO HONOR POE
Raven Society mt University Care for
His Old DOrmitory.

His Old Dormitory.
,I; snse s1 to The y Times Is, B-,,tshl
ruary january 10, 1909 will be the
centennial anniversary of the birth OF
Edgar Allen Poe. The year 1909 was
perhaps the most remarkable birth
year in history. since Tennyson. Mrs.
Browning, Darwin, Gladstone, Chopin,
Afendelssohn Lincoln and Holmes. as
we'll as Poe, were born that year. The
year just ahead therefore,, marking a
century for so many famous person
ages, and for many others only d little
less known. will be one Of unusual In
tercst. The University OF Virginia
Poe's alma mater, Is looking forward
already to do honor upon the occasion
to her greatest Glumnus. Poe's room
will be center of interest to all
ad'nirers of the poets genius: and the
Raven Society. which takes its name
from Poe's most famous production
Will doubtless be assigned a conspic-
uous place in the order OF ceremonies
Poe's room at the university, where
he was student in 1926, and whence
he was not expelled as some have be.
lieVed. is No. 10. on West Range. 1t Is
married by an appropriate bronze tab.
let, which was presented for the pur.
pose fow years ago by Misses Bangs
nHa NbiSOti, lOH Oh NEW OTR CIV
AT a recent meeting of the board OF
visitors. the room was placed at the
disposal Of the Raven Society of the
university. This organization. q senior
honor society founded In 1901, is TAX
Ing steps toward furnishing the room
IN a manner befltting Its character
and history, to the end that 1t may
serve not only as sort Of club room
to the Ravens, but also, and especially
as sort OF Foe museum. The Ravens
OF course. have more brains thar
money. and their work in this matter
Is In consequence somewhat retarded
but they are hopeful and persistent
and believe in the golden rule. A year
or less ago they had the honor OF
sending in the first contribution to-
ward the Poe monument in Rich
mond. They want to collect in Poe's
room not only his own works. but also
any books. portraits. photographs, or
other articles that pertain In any way
to the poet, his work. or the places
where he lived. An effort was made
recently to secure the gift OF the
mantelpiece before which the Raven
was written. but without SUCCESS IN
asmuch as the house from which the
relic was taken was near New York
City, the gift was made to Columbia
University; but most virginians-
certainly most Of the alumni OF the
University OF Virgnia-will agree
that no place could be found where
the mantel in question could be dis
posed more appropriately than in Poe's
old room at the university.
But the Ravens are resourceful, and
their friends among the other alumni
are no less so. Every alun,nus and
every Virginian takes a Just pride in
Poe's genius and varied work; and
when the day of the centennial of
Poe's birth arrives every visitor to the
university. whether he be an old
friend returning or new one coming
for the first time, will wish to see the
little room on West Range-"The
small house Of great poet:n and Il
may be confidently predicted that the
Ravens Will by that time have 1t In
order, With perhaps a real bird" OF
two In It.