Edgar Allan Poe

circa 1835: Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1849). American writer and poet. Wrote first book 'Tamerlane and Other Poems' 1827, editor/critic in VA, PA, NY, published 'Ligeia' 1838, 'Fall of the House of Usher' 1839, originated the detective story with 'Murders in the Rue Morgue' 1841, 'The Gold Bug' 1843, and tales of Gothic horror including 'The Pit and the Pendulum', 'The Masque of the Red Death' 1842, and the poem 'The Raven' 1845. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)