American author Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. Poe solidified his legacy as master of the gothic and macabre with his poems and short stories, and was one of the earliest practitioners of the detective or mystery genre. Some of Poe’s most well-known works include The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, Annabel Lee, The Gold Bug, and more!
Speaking of The Gold Bug, did you know that Edgar Allan Poe served in the U.S. Army, and was stationed at Fort Moultrie, in Charleston, South Carolina? Poe enlisted under the name “Edgar A. Perry”, and served at Fort Moultrie for two years, attaining the rank of Sergeant Major for Artillery. It was during his time at Fort Moultrie where Poe began devising the plot for The Gold Bug. Sullivan’s Island inspired Poe to use the location as the setting for that short story! This is why Edgar Allan Poe imagery can be found throughout Charleston.
History in a Nutshell features short, sweet and to the point historical content. These short-form "factoids" highlight various observances throughout the year, such as anniversaries, holidays, people, and more!
