Edgar Allan Poe, who was born in Boston, would come to be known as one of America’s greatest and most mysterious writers. Poe was a poet and one of the earliest American writers who wrote short stories. Poe became an orphan at a young age and then was taken in by a family in Virginia. Poe went to college for just one semester and then enlisted in the Army but failed as a cadet at West Point. That is what prompted his publishing career.

Poe wrote tales and poetry covering many different genres. Poe’s most famous poem was The Raven and he also was the inventor of detective stories which have grown in popularity. Poe also wrote tales of vengeance, horror and beauty. The details of Poe’s early demise remain mysterious as the man himself. Though the death certificate is lost, the suspected causes include consumption, rabies, suicide and others. Despite living a short life Poe’s influence on American literature has stood the test of time.

This edition of Poe’s The Purloined Letter includes a Table of Contents and images of Poe, his life and his works.