#FunFactFriday April 20, 1841

#FunFactFriday April 20, 1841

Our #FunFactFriday factoid is that on this day April 20, 1841, Edgar Allen Poe published the first modern detective short story titled “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” in Graham’s magazine. This started a new genre whereby an outsider (non-police officer) solves the case. Poe called this character the “ratiocination.” Needless to say, this one story revolutionized the publishing industry.

Edgar Allen Poe’s life and death are as mysterious as his writings. He was born on January 19, 1809. He preferred the nickname “Eddy.” Unlike the depictions in art, Poe was an athletic, fit young man. He excelled at running and swimming. His name is a combination of his biological father’s last name “Poe” and his foster father’s last name of “Allen.” [Mr. Allen never formally adopted Poe.] He was found in an ally dead on October 7, 1849. Opening in 1922, the Poe Museum houses the most extensive collection of letters, memorabilia, and artifacts. His death remains a mystery.

Here are some facts associated with the short story and Poe:

1. “Ratiocination” is where the crime is solved by an outsider;
2. There have been 3 full-length feature film adaptations;
3. The original manuscript sold at auction for $34,000;
4. Poe loved cats and often worked with one on his shoulder;
5. Poe’s works are often targeted for censorship in public libraries. His story The Cask of Amontillado ranks 3^rd on this list http://www.oif.ala.org/oif/?p=7557. The State of Texas bans “A Tell-Tale Heart,” https://www.houstoniamag.com/articles/2016/9/27/banned-books-week.
6. The “Poe Toaster,” a mysterious cloaked figure who drinks a celebratory glass of Cognac at Poe’s grave on his birthday and then leaves the unfinished bottle with three roses, took a hiatus from 2010-2015. The Maryland Historic Commission selected a new “Toaster” who restarted the tradition in 2016.
7. Read the short story from the website of the Poe Museum, https://www.poemuseum.org/the-murders-in-the-rue-morgue.

Lesia Schnur