Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American writer, poet, and literary critic, whose macabre and gothic tales left an indelible mark on American literature. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Poe faced a tumultuous early life marked by the death of his parents and a strained relationship with his foster family. Despite these challenges, he pursued a career in writing, quickly gaining a reputation for his dark and imaginative works. Poe's mastery of the short story is evident in classics such as "The Tell-Tale Heart," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and "The Cask of Amontillado," where he delved into themes of madness, death, and the supernatural. 

His poem "The Raven" (1845) brought him widespread acclaim and remains one of the most famous poems in American literature. Poe's pioneering contributions to the detective fiction genre, notably with "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," also established him as a forerunner of modern mystery writing. His life, fraught with personal and financial difficulties, ended tragically at the age of 40. Despite his struggles, Poe's innovative storytelling and atmospheric prose have secured his legacy as one of the most influential and enduring figures in literary history.