Culture

Edgar Allen Poe's Mystery Visitor Fails to Show

by Barbara McPherson | January 19, 2010 at 11:31 am

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Edgar Allen Poe's mystery visitor failed to show up with the birthday gifts of roses and cognac. The mystery visitor to Edgar Allen Poe's gravesite has left three roses and a half bottle of cognac every year since 1949 to mark Edgar Allen Poe's birthday.

The tradition dates back to at least 1949, according to newspaper accounts from the era, Jerome said. Since then, an unidentified person has come every year on Jan. 19 to leave three roses and a half-bottle of cognac at Poe's grave in a church cemetery in downtown Baltimore.

Poe's burial plot in Baltimore has become the focus of fans who journey to the site hoping to glimpse the mystery visitor. This is the first time in 60 years that the mystery visitor has failed to leave roses and cognac, leaving Edgar Allen Poe fans to worry that it will happen nevermore.

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Hugh Askew

at 11:38 on January 19th, 2010

Now THAT is news.

Wow, what a disappointment. The legend ends.

Amy Judd

at 12:59 on January 19th, 2010

Sad...

everchanging

at 14:55 on January 19th, 2010

What honor and respect this individual has placed forth for 60 years is only pure love and dedication toward Edgar Allen Poe. Anyone and everyone can speculate towards who or whom this individual is or was, they are the only one with this answer. It maybe after 60 years that they to have joined Him on the other side of our reality called death. Rest in peace Edgar Allen Poe and hope you have new company to share it with. If that is not the case (passed) then may they find the strength and youth to visit him one more time in this reality.