On this day in 1809 a man who has inspired multitudes of artists, writers, and people was born. Mr. Edgar Allan Poe. If he were still alive today he would be 206 years old.
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author with a streak for the macabre. He wrote a good many things in his 40 years of life and specialized in poems and short stories. His work planted the seeds for the detective and science fiction generes. Although mister Poe has inspired so many people, he had a very difficult life, poor and surrounded by his loved ones dying of consumption.
Fun fact: he may have been an a-symptomatic carrier of the tuberculosis that killed so many of his family members.
Poe was one of my favorite authors in high school. His work inspired a lot of artwork and dark poetry of my own. I read biographies of him, daydreaming of living during his time and being one of those few people to bring him joy by actually liking his work.
*insert wistful fan-girl sigh here*
The Fall of the House of Usher was a particular favorite of mine and I spent hours doodling imagery from the story on my schoolwork.
For funzies here’s a sharpie sketch from my 2005 sketchbook inspired by The Raven
<—–
Did you know you could read the entirety of his collected works for free? Go over to Project Gutenburg for free digital copies of them.
Happy Birthday mister Poe.
Horror Made 