Text: Anonymous, “Death of Edgar A. Poe,” Daily Evening Transcript (Boston, MA), vol. XX, whole no. 5895, October 9, 1849, p. 2, col. 3

[page 2, column 3, continued:]

DEATH OF EDGAR A. POE. A telegraphic despatch, dated Baltimore, Aug [[Oct]] 8th, announces the death in that city on Sunday last of Edgar A. Poe, a well known writer. He had talents, with which he might have done great things, had he united to them stable principles, earnest purposes and self-denying habits. Some of his poems are marked with flashes of genius and originality. His poem of “The Raven” is an extraordinary production, though marred by some defects. In his prose writings he showed a faculty, hardly surpassed by that of De Foe, in giving to the garb and air of truth. As a critic he was intolerably conceited, undiscriminating and prejudiced. But his literary abilities were unquestionable; and had they been properly chastened and exerted under the guidance of a clear heart and head, he might have left a name among the first upon the list of those who have enriched American literature with productions of lasting interest and value. Mr. Poe must have been not far from forty years of age.