Text: Anonymous, “Poe, a Born Magazinist,” Inter Ocean (Chicago, IL), vol. XXXVII, no. 159, August 30, 1908, p. 6, cols. 2-3

[page 6, column 2, continued:]

Poe, a Born Magazinist.

The Poe centennial is approaching. Soon we shall have Poe legends, Poe facts, and Poe appreciations.

We shall learn once more that he was the first American literary man to profoundly influence Europeans; that he was the father of the short story, the originator of the modern detective tale; that he was unique, unhappy, morbid, and our most romantic literary figure.

Will any one contend that he was the original American magazinist? We use the term as in the last few years it has been interpreted. There is basis for the contention.

Poe never got gold and gear by any of his ventures. But he had the qualities that make magazines sell these days and he exhibited them on magazines in those days. And they were qualities then not too familiar to the trade.

The first instinct of the modern magazinist is that of timeliness. The heavy review embalming deep thoughts on the interests of dead centuries is not for America. To succeed a magazine must interest the public and the public is chiefly interested in itself and the things of the moment. This explains how many of our present publications have been enabled to dispense with literary quality and triumph still.

This instinct Poe had in a marked [column 3:] degree, “With the business adroitness of the born magazinist,” says one of his best biographers, referring to “A. Gordon Pym,” “he was trading on the momentary curiosity of the public, which was highly interested in antarctic explorations in consequence of the expedition then under the auspices of the government.” And “The Journal of Julius Rodman,” published in Burton's at Philadelphia, was written to take advantage of the public interest in Western exploration.

Another instinct of magazinist is that of effect; to put it differently, sensationalism. And Poe had this instinct remarkably developed. It manifested itself in so sober occupation as criticism. His slashing reviews in the Southern Literary Messenger gave that magazine its vogue. The same method accounted for the rapid rise and success of Graham's, the Philadelphia magazine that he edited. The owner remonstrated with him about it. But Poe understood what was the only way to “wake people up.”

We know that recognition of Poe as these prototype of modern magazinist add to fame. It might detract from it. But in reading his life one is struck with his possession of the instincts which, when given proper means, make for popularity and wide circulation in a publication. Add to this that he was a self-advertiser of no mean merit, and we have another, point in common with those who, from a literary viewpoint, are not worthy to unloose his shoes.