Edgar Allan Poe: Master of the Macabre

American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic, Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts.  Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the first American writers to utilize the short story format, is considered the inventor of the detective-fiction genre, and is credited with contributing to the success of the emerging science fiction genre.  One fact making him especially unique in the literary field is that Poe is said to have been the first well-known American writer popular enough to earn a living exclusively through his writing in his lifetime--though not until late in life.  Read more . . .