Text: Anonymous, “The Life of Edgar Allan Poe,” Daily Graphic (New York, NY), vol. XXII, May 15, 1880, whole no. 2226, p. 5, cols. 3-4

[page 5, column 3, continued:]

THE LIFE OF EDGAR ALLAN POE.

The fifth edition, revised and enlarged, of William Fearing Gill's new biography of Edgar Allan Poe has just been issued, and testifies to the hearty reception which its publication has called forth. Much of its interest is due, undoubtedly, to the vindication which Mr. Gill makes from the censures of Mr. Rufus Griswold in regard to the poet; censures which, it is stated, were the result of the enmity engendered by Poe's slashing review of Griswold's Poets and Poetry of America.” For twenty-five years Mr. Griswold's memoir of Poe has been the standard biography of the poet, a biography which Mr. Gill characterizes as a 64 tissue of the most glaring falsehoods ever combined in a similar work.” In the preparation of this later memoir, it is not strange that reference, particular and severe, should have been made to the former, and the writer of it does not hesitate to put the very worst construction upon Mr. Griswold's motives in the compilation of his work. Facts are brought forth as evidence to meet the misstatements of Dr. Griswold, which are expected to be conclusive, and in addition, in order that there may be no doubt left in the mind of the reader as to the malice aforethought of the original biographer of Poe, the critique of Griswold by Poe is appended, which is supposed to indicate the source of the ill-will of the former. This criticism has never been printed in any of the editions of Poe's works, and will have something of the merit of novelty to most readers. The present biographer, Mr. Gill, treats lovingly the memory of Poe, dealing with his faults as kindly as may be consistently with his duty, and doing full justice to his virtues and genius. Several fac-simile letters of Poe and his friends are given, in one of which, by Mrs. Susan Archer Weiss, an interesting point is settled regarding the method of the composition of Poe's masterpiece, “The Raven.” It is said “the analysis given in ‘The Philosophy of Composition’ was pure fiction — one of the poet's mischievous caprices to catch the critics, which proved successful beyond expectation. Mrs. Weiss states that not only did Poe assure her that his published account of the alleged method of the composition of ‘The Raven’ was not genuine, but that he also said that he had never intended it should be seriously received as such. The idea had come to him from speculations made by the critics, that the poem might have been so composed. He had, therefore, written the account merely as an ingenious experiment, and had been greatly surprised at the credulity of the public in accepting it as a bona fide statement.” It may be remarked here in connection with the above incident, that Poe received for The Raven only $10, a most insignificant sum, considering the merits of the poem, but it is pleasant to think that it brought him, besides, tame and friends, which he valued yet more.

The romantic history of the attachment existing between Poe and Mrs. Whitman has always excited much interest and curiosity. Dr. Griswold's memoir did much towards circulating damaging reports concerning the rupture of the engagement existing between them, which, it was said, was due to gross improprieties committed by Poe on the evening previous to the marriage day. A true version of the facts which led to this scandal is given by Mr. Gill, as authorized by the lady herself, and will, it is hoped, put to flight at least one of the shadows which has been allowed to rest upon the poet's memory. Other misrepresentations have been corrected, among them that of the borrowing of money by the poet from a Southern lady, and his conduct in regard to it, as well as that of his disposing of the poem, “Annabel Lee,” to three different magazines.

The feeling which has prompted the present volume is to be respected, and if it brings about a better understanding, not merely of the poet's genius but of his character, its chief purpose will have been accomplished. It is to be regretted that [column 4:] Dr. Griswold appears so prominent in the work, but this, under the circumstances, perhaps, could not be avoided, and while the work is really a vindication it constitutes also a well-written and reliable history of Poe will take its place as one of the most trustworthy biographies of the poet which has yet appeared. W. J. Middleton [[Widdleton]], publisher, New York.