Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Poe, Edgar Allan, 1809-1849
- Abstract:
- The Poe mss., 1811-1934, contain primarily correspondence written by Edgar Allan Poe to the poet Sarah Helen Whitman, 1803-1878.
- Extent:
- 56 Items
- Language:
- Materials are primarily in English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Poe mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
Poe was born in Boston, MA, and raised in Richmond, VA. He dropped out of the University of Virginia due to lack of funds, and failed out of the Army at West Point before embarking on an enduring literary career. He is known as the founder of the modern detective story and a master of the horror genre through stories like "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Masque of the Red Death," and "The Tell-Tale Heart," and poems like "The Raven." He died in 1849.
- Scope and Content:
The letters convey the romantic relationship between Poe and Whitman, initially kept secret and controversial among family and friends up to their aborted engagement. Also included are carte de visite photographs, including the only known full-length daguerreotype of Poe; crayon portraits and other artwork; and locks of Poe's hair.
- Acquisition information:
- Acquired: ca. 1940s
- Processing information:
Processed by Staff.
Completed in 2013
- Physical location:
- Lilly - Vault 2
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Poe mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@indiana.edu