Poe, Edgar Allan. An American poet. Born in Boston, MA, 1809. Was a youth of wonderful genius but of reckless habits, who came to an unhappy and untimely end. He left behind him tales and poems which, though they were not appreciated when he lived, have received the recognition they deserve since his death. His poetical masterpiece, "The Raven," is well known. Poe died in 1849 at Baltimore of inflammation of the brain. He had, perhaps, the loftiest and most original poetical genius which America has produced.

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