Edgar Allan Poe: 175 Years after His Death

In this episode we commemorate the life and work and ongoing influence of Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), 175 years after his death. Poe is a fascinating historical figure and his literary work is known throughout the world. In this episode, we explore both his complicated life story as well as his ongoing influence on all forms of creative production. We discuss the loss of his mother and his early years in London; we examine the role of Romanticism in his writing; we take you through his time in Baltimore and his role in the development of the horror genre; and lastly, we discuss his continual presence in contemporary pop culture. Gottfried Haufe moderates this episode with special guest Dr. Verena Adamik from the University of Potsdam.