05/29/2026
Nothing like uncovering a real murder mystery...via letters from the 1840s.
So, almost everyone in the world thinks that Edgar Allan Poe "died drunk in a gutter," right? Well, what if the man who penned Poe's death story was his sworn arch enemy Rufus Griswold: an insanely greedy, involved-in-the-same love triangles, jealous lunatic, who was known to all as a liar and profiteer, and made all of the money stealing Poe's manuscripts after his death, becoming rich publishing them while simultaneously publishing character defamations about him, so effectively that the public still generally holds that impression today?
There are a LOT more first-hand accounts of Poe's life and death that tell a WAY DIFFERENT STORY. And, in my estimation, and based on written sworn-testimony accounts, a pretty good chance he was murdered.
Facts:
Poe was involved in a scandalous love pentagram (like as in 5 people), and though he didn't quite seem culpable for ALL of it, he had a lot of people intentionally interjecting themselves into his love life (lives) and causing the upheaval of his career and hastening the death of his actual wife. It was bad.
His wife died, a little time passed, some of the drama faded, but the crazy people involved were still simmering.
Two years later, Poe became engaged to be married (to a separate person) and was in a fine mood immediately preceding his death. He left VA in a nice black velvet suit, on the way to pick up his widowed mother-in-law in New York and bring her back for the wedding.
He also had saved $1500 (which is equivalent to $65K) and planned to buy a newspaper company while in NYC.
He left, traveling from VA to New York City, only passing through Baltimore for train/boat transfer. He had the cash with him.
There were witnesses that saw him followed on a train by two "thugs." He showed up at the hospital the next day with all of the cash missing, incoherant, and in different clothes.
It took him 3-4 days in the hospital to die.
The alleged "brooding, self-alchohol poisoning theory" doesn't hold up well: considering he was traveling, had clarity and purpose to his journey, and was in a good mood. Plus, even if he had partied hard for one night-at the time of his actual death, he would have had over four days to detox. Seems unlikely.
Weighing the plight of his many jealous alleged lovers and their spouses, the greedy publisher Griswold, and the for-once positive momentum he had going for him and money he had saved up. It just doesn't add up.
In a personal account of his death, Poe's attending physician tells a WHOLE DIFFERENT, and the findings may shock you!
The accounts of his many family and friends rebuff the allegations and portrait of a "mean, crazy, murderous drunk." In fact, they believe Poe to be a writer-who eclipsed the Gothic Horror pieces of his day, and in fact wrote many OTHER genres: comedies, histories, and a play. The mystic, tortured characters he penned were just figments of his vast ability and imagination, more so than of his own character.
The downright rude obituary, and unflattering accounts of Poe's death and general character were written by his sworn enemy, and profiteer publisher Griswold.
There was a saying about Griswold, because he was such a known liar and scoundral..."Is that the truth, or is it a "Griswold?"
And that, my friends is why I am compelled to pen another Murder Mystery Musical,
"Quoth the Raven: A Knock on Death's Door"
The Suspicious Death of the World's Greatest Poet
Edgar Allen Poe
The musical will premiere this October at The Charles Davis Mansion, The Mad Hatter Shows, and the Genetti Hotel in PA. For more info-or to put on Guest List-type "Guest list" below. Thank you and happy investigating! See less
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