Poe obituary review Part III: For Brandy and Poetry

(continues from Part I: First Responders and Part II: Ludwig's Turn)

Not surprisingly, the Temperance, or anti-alcohol, publications used Poe's death as a moral lesson. Just as in the Baltimore Sun obituary we looked at first, genius and intemperance are seen as connected.

New York Organ, Tue, Oct 9, 1849: “Death of a Poet. Edgar Poe, whose writings, both prose and poetical, have attracted marked attention in this country, is numbered with the dead. He possessed genius of a peculiar and striking order, and had he not, like too many other gifted men, yielded to the snare of intemperance, he might have trodden a luminous pathway to immortality. Quite recently he appears to have renounced the enemy of his peace and usefulness, and was received as a member of a Division of the Sons of Temperance in Virginia. His friends and admirers were indulging the most favorable anticipation from this change in his course, when he again yielded, broke his pledge, and died of mania a potu in the Baltimore hospital. An awful warning comes up from the grave of this unhappy, self-ruined man. Would that it might make its due impression – Think of Poe’s miserable end, and then resolve to touch not, taste not the cup that poisoned him. When tempted to break your pledge, point to that grave and answer, No, never!”

The New York Organ piece adds a piece to the still-forming narrative of Poe's final months. The 1849 observer could now accurately trace Poe from Richmond to Baltimore on his way to New York. The Organ, presumably through its connections with the temperance community, had found out about Poe joining a temperance group in Richmond and taking a pledge to abstain from alcohol.

Some scholars and observers later interpreted this pledge as concrete proof of Poe having a problem with alcohol. Maybe. But more important was the perception that he had a problem, and his pledge was likely a very public way to placate Elmira Shelton, an early love interest who returned to his life while in Richmond.

The story here of Poe breaking his pledge is pure fiction on the part of the Organ. That doesn't mean it's untrue. It might be true. But if it is, it is fiction that happens to be true (an accident historical fiction writers always hope for, I'd add). The writer of this obituary likely wouldn't have had any evidence one way or the other about Poe drinking. People from the very beginning read between the lines about Poe's death, often inaccurately.

The Organ's advice to their readers to visit Poe's grave would probably have made more sense if the grave were marked! It would remain unmarked for twenty-five years, and would have been difficult for any temperance activists to find and point to.

Here's another temperance journal obituary with a similar sentiment, more concisely put.

Journal of American Temperance Union: “Edgar A. Poe, author of the Raven and other poetical writings, recently died of a melancholy attack in a hospital in Baltimore – alas! for brandy and poetry.”

To quote my favorite movie about writers, Barton Fink, once again, the studio chief Lipnik, after offering Barton a drink and Barton accepting: "Boy! You writers! Work hard, play hard! That's what I hear, anyway."

Was Poe really an alcoholic? It's an open question, but I have my own opinions, which would probably require a separate post. In the meantime, watch for Part IV of this series, which will be the last post reviewing the Poe obituaries.