Edgar Allen PoePoe is buried in the Old Western Burial Ground in Baltimore, Maryland. Every January 19, Poe's birthday, for more than fifty years a man dressed in black and fedora has left cognac accompanied by three red roses on Poe's grave.
Celebrity Morgue
| Rank | Location | Receipts | Donors/Avg | Freepers/Avg | Monthlies | |||
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| 55 | Armed Forces - Europe | 35.00 |
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17.50 |
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35.00 |
3 |
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Who shows up at Kant's grave? The Philosop Haster?
Bitterly cold weather fails to daunt[Y]esterday, for the 56th time, a man stole into a downtown graveyard early on Edgar Allan Poe's birthday and placed three roses and a half-empty bottle of cognac on the writer's grave... The visitor arrived at 1:10 a.m. and was wearing a heavy coat, his face hidden by what appeared to be a black pullover. He was not wearing the traditional white scarf and black hat, Jerome said... People who stand vigil usually respect the visitor's desire for anonymity, and that, along with the visitor's quick moves and the cover of darkness, has kept his secret since 1949.
'Poe Toaster' on annual visit to grave
by Kasey Jones
Baltimore Sun
January 20, 2005
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Ping.
I was near Baltimore on a business trip so went up to see "The Harbor" and the Poe house. It is, unfortunately, in an absolutely crappy neighborhood, so drove by, glanced, and kept on going. Wanted to at least take a couple of pictures, but figured I'd get knocked in the head if I stopped.
Anyone seen my Cask of Amontillado? I was just down in the basement and didn't see it.
Jeff Jerome, curator of the Poe House and Museum, holds the three roses and cognac bottle left at Edgar Allan Poe's headstone and grave at Westminster Church, Baltimore, Maryland. Jan. 19, 2005.
Poe Toaster again eludes those who want discover his identityFor the 57th year in a row, a mystery man has paid tribute to Edgar Allan Poe by placing roses and a bottle of cognac on the writer's grave to mark his birthday.
Dan Viens
But this year, the curator of Baltimore's Poe House and Museum was saddened by disrespectful spectators. Jeff Jerome says some of the 25 observers at the tiny graveyard early this morning climbed over the walls and were "running all over the place."
The visitor managed to come and go without anyone stopping him. But because of the disruption, Jerome isn't giving details of what the mystery man was wearing, what he did at Poe's grave, and whether he left anything besides the roses and cognac, such as a note.
Jerome has seen the so-called Poe Toaster every January 19th since 1976.
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Nuts, I missed the anniversary ping this year. Nevermore. |
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My first thought after reading the title to the article from my ping list:
Poe Toaster? That’s a funny name for a comet.
No clue why I thought it was a comet’s name, but I did.
My guess is that the answer lies here:
A secret society at University of Virgina called “The Raven Society” — Poe was a student there.
(from Wikipedia)
The Raven Society is the University of Virginia’s oldest honorary society. Founded in 1904 by University student William McCully James, and named in honor of the famous poem by Edgar Allan Poe (who attended The University in 1826), the Raven Society seeks to promote academic excellence at the University of Virginia.
According to its constitution, one of the society’s main goals is “to bring together the best men in the various departments of the University for mutual acquaintance and for cooperation in their efforts to protect the honor and dignity of the University.”
In addition to presenting annual Raven Fellowships, the society recognizes outstanding students, professors, administrators, and alumni with the Raven Award, and is also responsible for the upkeep of Mr. Poe’s living quarters, 13 West Range.
The Raven Society has been active in commemorating Mr. Poe’s life, beginning with a celebration of his centenary in 1905.
?