RedGage

Edgar Allan Poe has finally had a proper send off.  Which is only fair considering his first funeral was sparsely attended and it is his 200th birthday.  I know what your thinking.  Did they dig him up and bury him again?  Of course not.  They used a plastic replica .          

Perhaps die-hard Poe fans wanted something to do since the the infamous Poe Toaster , an unknown stranger who would leave cognac and a rose  at Poe's grave each year on the writer's birthday, was a no show this year . 

There are two theories on why the Poe Toaster was absent.  One, perhaps it was always the intention to end this tradition on Poe's 200th birthday.  The other theory, is that the man  suspected to be the Poe Toaster was found dead in his apartment just a few days before .

I guess we will see in January 2011. 

Some facts about Edgar Allan Poe:

1) His parents were actors.

2) Shortly after his mother died, and young Edgar was adopted, the theatrical company his mother traveled with were all killed in a fire. 

3) He married his 13 year old cousin.  She died at the age of 26.

4) While married they lived in a small cottage in the Bronx.  It still stands today . 

5) Edgar Allan Poe had two meetings with Charles Dickens and discussed the need for an international copyright law .