Poe's original burial place in the back-rear corner of
Westminster Hall & Burial Ground.
October, 1849
October, 1849
New grave site towards the front of the church.
October, 1875
October, 1875
Edgar was originally buried with no headstone at the back rear corner of
Westminster Hall & Burial Ground on Monday, October 8, 1849. His
cousin, Neilson Poe, had purchased a white Italian marble headstone for
him, but it was destroyed in a train accident (a train derailed and went
through the area the headstone was being kept).
Years later a poet, Paul Hamilton Hayne, visited his grave, then wrote a newspaper article about what a shabby grave it was and how Edgar deserved something better. So, a Baltimore public school teacher, Sara Sigourney Rice, took it upon herself to raise the funds needed to accomplish it. Her work, as well as a generous donation from George William Childs, a Philadelphia publisher and philanthropist, made it all possible.
A new headstone was designed by architect George A. Frederick and was then built by Colonel Hugh Sisson. Included on the headstone was a medallion of Edgar, by an artist named Valck.
On October 1, 1875, he was reburied towards the front of the church and a ceremony took place to dedicate the new grave site. The original spot then had another tombstone placed there, by Orin C. Painter.
Years later a poet, Paul Hamilton Hayne, visited his grave, then wrote a newspaper article about what a shabby grave it was and how Edgar deserved something better. So, a Baltimore public school teacher, Sara Sigourney Rice, took it upon herself to raise the funds needed to accomplish it. Her work, as well as a generous donation from George William Childs, a Philadelphia publisher and philanthropist, made it all possible.
A new headstone was designed by architect George A. Frederick and was then built by Colonel Hugh Sisson. Included on the headstone was a medallion of Edgar, by an artist named Valck.
On October 1, 1875, he was reburied towards the front of the church and a ceremony took place to dedicate the new grave site. The original spot then had another tombstone placed there, by Orin C. Painter.
A photo of the Poe Toaster.
I know some of you thought this was a funny idea.
Next week; The Life and Times of Mark Twain.
