The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1909-01-22
Poe, the Maryland Poet
BY 9. H. coALR.

The fact that the one-hundredth anniversary Of
Edgar Allen Poe has just passed has brought the
circumstances Of bis life fresh in the memory of
many people His own work secured him a
peculiar position in American literature and
dare say he has been the subject of more criticism
than any other. author Much has been written
both good and bad of him, but do not believe
too much reverence can be paid todeparted great
ness. Biographies of the life of Poe differ as to
bis birthplace. Many claim Boston, but it is said
that house in Norfolk is pointed out as the place
of his nativity, while in a recent article written
for "The Cosmopolitan Magazine by Elizabeth
Ellicott Poe, distant relative of the poet, she
claims Baltimore the rightful birthplace OF Poe.
She produces evidence that there is positive proof
that the boy Poe was in Baltimore when he was
but two days old, while Boston was then a weeks
stage journey away. However, Marylanders are
proud to claim him as their poet son. and whether
born within the realm or elsewhere his life has
always been closely allied to our state.
The youth OF Poe did not display any special
talents that went to make up his after greatness
1t is said he was not great student but naturally
born with quick incentive fer classics During
his college career at the University of Virginia,
believe he gained particular distinction in both
Latin and French. While at West Point be stood
thirteenth in class of sixty some in French. The
chief difficulty with the poet as student seems to
have been his reluctance to adhere to any specific
curriculum. The same might be said of many
great geniuses Poe's own head was too full OF
imaginary and fanciful ideas to do work merely
laid before him. The first literary success of the
poet came in Baltimore when he wrote his "a
MS. Found In Bottle . This was in 1888. Poe
received prize of Sl0O for this story. 1t was
through this production that he was brought to
the notice OF John P. Kennedy. who was great
help to him afterwards in literary and financial
lines. Mr.. Kennedy later in life became Post
master general under President Tyler.
In 1885 Poe became assistant editor of the
Southern Magazine. In May 1886 the poet married
his cousin and child wife, Virginia GLENN, who
was then hardly fourteen years old.
The following year we find Poe in New York
and after year or less he returned to Philadel-
phia 1t was about this time that his famous
poem and masterpiece. 1.-The Raven appeared.
1t is claimed by recent critics that the poet wrote
this poem in Philadelphia. and even the very
hOuseit was written in is now pointed out to Wis
itors. In the spring of 1916 Poe occupied the
famous cottage at Fordham and the following
year marks the deepest sorrow of his life. when
his beloved and beautiful child-wife, Virginia,
died.
From this time the life OF the poet might easily
be forgotten to advantage. He attempts as
it would seem. to drown hissorrow by dissipation
tits sad to note the complete downfall of so rart
a genius A mind so filled with extraordinary
imagination enriched with wonderful originality
1t was in Baltimore on Oct 4 1919, that the last
scene of the authors life was laid. He came to
the city few nights previous and was found
some where ON Baltimore Street in an unconscious
condition. He was carried to the old Washington
Union Hospital now the Church Home, on North
Broadway. Alas, the repeated nights ofdissipation
were t,o strong for any human constitution. So
there, on beautiful Sunday while the church
bells were vibrating their tones through the
balmy air of clear October morning. the soul
of Edgar Allen Poe passed into eternity.