The genius and orphan son of itinerant actors, Poe led a tragic life and suffered greatly—as much at his own hands as those of Fate. Yet tragedy never stopped him from writing: poems, short stories, literary journalism, and even creating a new genre, the detective story—a contribution so great that the most prestigious writing award for crime fiction, given annually by the Mystery Writers of America, bears his name. is a fascinating guide to the tormented genius, with critical insight into: Poe led a life as epic as one of his poems. , you’ll learn all the deepest secrets that haunted this tortured writer, influenced his writing, and ultimately drove him to an early death.