Monday, January 19, marks the 217th birthday of Edgar Allan Poe, the late American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic who is best known for his poetry and short stories — especially his tales of mystery and the macabre.
Though he was born in Boston, Poe’s writing first became popular while he lived in Baltimore. In 1833, his short story, MS. Found in a Bottle, won a contest held by the Baltimore Saturday Visiter, and he received a $50 prize.
Poe’s story also ended in Baltimore. He died in this city in 1849 when he was just 40 years old…