American Gothic and Romanticism
Biography
Edgar Allan Poe was an American poet, short-story writer, and critic whose tales of horror and ratiocination helped shape several modern genres.
Primary Genres
- —Poetry
- —Short Story
- —Criticism
Major Works
'The Raven' (1845), 'The Tell-Tale Heart' (1843), 'The Fall of the House of Usher' (1839)
Writing Style & Major Themes
Helped invent the modern short story and the detective story, and shaped Gothic poetry and literary criticism in the United States.
Literary Impact
His tales of ratiocination and horror influenced mystery, horror, and science fiction worldwide.
Suggested Starting Work
'The Tell-Tale Heart'
Public-Domain Status
Poe's works published before 1929 are in the U.S. public domain.
Sources and further reading