Edgar Allan Poe Society Collection       ( POE)

Table of Contents

A Brief History of the Poe Society
The Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore was officially established following a commemorative celebration of Poe's birthday on January 19, 1923. The roots of the Poe Society, however, extend back through four previous organizations to 1865. In that year, the Poe Memorial Fund was formed to create a monument over Poe's grave that would be fitting to the memory of his literary legacy. Under the leadership of Miss Sara Sigourney Rice, the memorial was finally erected in the corner of the Westminster Presbyterian Burying Ground (at Fayette and Greene Streets) and dedicated on November 17, 1875. The Edgar Allan Poe Literary Association first met on February 21, 1870, with Thomas B. Hand as its president. In 1896, a Poe Memorial Association was formed. Finally, although not restricted to Poe in name or purpose, the Women's Literary Club of Baltimore existed from 1907 to 1922, devoting much of its time to the planning, funding and dedication of the Sir Moses Ezekiel statue of Poe. Despite setbacks (including a fire which destroyed the first statue in 1913; an earthquake, which destroyed the second in 1915; the death of the artist in 1917 one year after completing the final statue; and the outbreak of World War I, which delayed shipment of the statue from across the Atlantic) this beautiful artistic tribute was finally unveiled in Wyman Park on October 20, 1921.
Following its formation in 1923, the Edgar Allan Poe Society organized an annual series of public programs that included musical settings of Poe's poems, readings from his writings, exhibitions of information and memorabilia, and lectures about his life and works. On June 4, 1938, the Poe Society was alerted by an article in the Baltimore Sun to the planned destruction of the block of houses between Lexington and Saratoga Streets, including the house where Poe had lived in 1833-1835. The Society quickly organized to determine which was the correct building and to preserve it. This goal was accomplished substantially due to the efforts of May Garrettson Evans and Dr. John C. French. A bronze plaque was erected by 1940. A full restoration was begun in 1947, proceeding as funds and ingenuity permitted. The Poe Society provided tours from 1950 until 1977, when responsibility for the museum was assumed by Baltimore City's Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP).

Since 1977, the Poe Society has returned its efforts to focus on the annual commemorative lecture and associated publications. In addition, we continue to respond to all inquires relating to Poe's life and works. In a typical year, the Poe Society receives dozens of letters from around the world, particularly from school children seeking general guidance for reports and other projects. The Edgar Allan Poe Society is a legally established non-profit organization, incorporated in the state of Maryland. We have no paid employees, relying purely on voluntary efforts.

The Rose Memorial Fund
In 1995, the Poe Society created the Alexander G. Rose Memorial Fund in honor of one of our most ardent supporters. Al was President of the Poe Society (1969-1977), Corresponding Secretary (1978-1983), Secretary/Treasurer (1984-1987) and Society Historian (1988 until his death in 1995). The Rose Fund was established to combine Al's three great interests: teaching, Poe and the University of Baltimore. The purpose of the fund is to partially sponsor a course, taught at the University of Baltimore, which prominently features the life and/or works of Edgar Allan Poe. Anyone wishing to contribute to this fund may write checks payable to: The Educational Foundation; The University of Baltimore; 1420 N. Charles Street; Baltimore, MD 21201. (Please note in the memo field that the donation is for the Alexander Rose Memorial Fund.)