Text: Basil L. Gildersleeve, “Heard Poe Read ‘Raven’,” Baltimore Sun (Baltimore, MD), vol. CXLIV, no. 61, January 16, 1909, p. 5, col. 8

[page 5, column 8, continued:]

There are few living who, upon the one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe, which will be observed next Tuesday, can say they heard “The Raven” read by its author. But among the few there will be at least one Baltimorean who may make such an assertion unchallenged -Prof. Basil L. Gildersleeve, professor of Greek at Johns Hopking University.

Not only does Professor Gildersleeve remember Poe's reading of his own poem, but he also admits that in the exuberance of youth he had the temerity to criticise the reading and merit of the work. This was at a period in life, Dr. Gildersleeve says, when he was criticising almost everything and thought he would try it out upon the poet. Dr. Gildersleeve 19 not afraid to say that Poe was not a good reader; that since that time he has heard much better renditions of the famous poem than that given by the author.

It was when about 18 years old that Dr. Gildersleeve heard Poe, and though deeply, but not favorably impressed, Dr. Gildersleeve's account is none the less interesting in that he adds to his reminiscences impressions of Poe as a man as well as a reader. The reading mentioned occurred in Richmond about 1849, the year of Poe's death.

Dr. Gildersleeve's Reminiscences.

“I remember very well,” Professor Gildersleeve said yesterday, “the period in which Poe appeared in Richmond. At that time he lived in what was half hotel, half boarding house, quiet and plain, on Broad street. I saw him frequently; his was a striking figure, giving the impression of slenderness and of being tall. He was always dressed in a closely buttoned black broadcloth coat, which was the conventional dress of the day.

“I would not say that he appeared shabbily dressed, but the impression was that he must belong to some unremunerative profession. His face was striking and was stronger than pictures of him indicate. He had a remarkable forehead and fine eyes.

“At the time I was fresh from college and rather critical of all things. Poe was then famous, having composed his ‘Raven’ and having won additional fame by the publication of his ‘Gold Bug.’ That summer it was advertised that he would read ‘The Raven’ to those who would pay 50 cents a head, which in those days was not considered so small an amount as it is today, particularly by young fellows at college with $400 a year. There was a good. audience, though not large.

“The reading took place in the assembly room of the Exchange Hotel, one of the fine hostelries of the city. The room at times was used for a drawing-room or dining-room.

Not Considered Good Reader.

“I listened intently, but did not consider Poe a good reader.

“Then people were looking for comprehensiveness in poetry and parts at least of the ‘Raven’ seemed incomprehensible to me, so I tried my youthful criticism upon him.

“To those, who had a keen appreciation of rhythm it seemed that he scanned his lines too closely. Poets, it seems, are seldom good readers of their own work. though frequently fancy they are. Since then I have heard many better readings of the same poem.

“There was no evidence of Poe's overindulgence In liquor. Poe had the reputation of not being able to drink much without being affected more than the average man; even one glass of wine would affect him.

“It must be remembered that Poe lived in an age of Puritanical criticism and those under whose notice he fell may have been inclined to be hypercritical. Literary judgment then was largely in the hands of those reared in the North, who were controlled by Northern rather than Southern customs. The Northern judges might be termed cold-water critics, prone to frown upon and exaggerate even slight indulgence.”