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Visitors to the Rare Book Collection at the Free Library of Philadelphia can gaze upon a taxidermied raven named Grip who inspired not one, but two literary masterpieces by world-famous authors. A visit to the Charles Dickens Museum in London piqued Amy's interest in Grip, the author’s beloved (and mischievous) pet raven (he actually owned three over the years). Edgar Allan Poe was similarly intrigued by the symbolic potential of Dickens's chatty bird, leading him to write his famous poem, “The Raven.”

Mentioned in this episode

The Charles Dickens Museum

Lost Ladies of Lit Episode No. 151 on Elspeth Barker

Lost Ladies of Lit Episode No. 225 on Simona Kossak

Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens

“The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe

“Dickens, Poe and the Pet Raven That Inspired Their Darkest Works” by David Castleton

“The Real Miss Havisham? Lady Lewson’s 116 Years Amidst Cobwebs and Grime” by David Castleton

The Free Library of Philadelphia

The Rosenbach Museum and Library

The Rosenbach podcast

Founder’s Hall Museum

The Mütter Museum

The Lanier Mansion

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