Poe's Poisoned Pen

Edgar Allen Poe is known as one of the early masters of mystery and horror. In his time, he was also a well-known literary critic. This evening we’ll meet in the literary salons of the 1800s where the accomplishments of New England’s authors and poets were discussed and critiqued with polite, albeit ruthless, judgement.

Mrs. Elizabeth Ellet was a published poet and notably one of the first women historians, writing books on women of the American Revolution, pioneer women, and women artists. She was intimately involved in a public scandal with Mr. Poe in the mid-1840s.

Mr. Rufus Griswold was known as an anthologist, editor, poet, and critic who had dealings with many of the published writers in the New England circles, including Mr. Poe. Poe and Griswold, developed a literary, editorial, and social rivalry that even went beyond the grave!

Mrs. Sarah Helen Whitman was a poet, essayist, and spiritualist known for hosting séances in her home. Mrs. Whitman was engaged, briefly, to Mr. Poe in 1848. In spite of the broken engagement, she spent most of her remaining years defending his literary reputation from devious critics and slipshod biographers.

Mrs. Virginia Clemm Poe was 13 when she married her cousin, Edgar Allen Poe. Sadly, she contracted tuberculosis and ailed for 5 years until her untimely death at 24. At the time of the scandal with Mrs. Ellet, Virginia was already ill and the ensuing rumors haunted her even to her death.

Poe’s Poisoned Pen is an audience interactive Chautauqua history performers production. As an audience member, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions of each character and ask each performer/researcher about their journey bringing their character to life!