Recently, in celebration of his 200th birthday, Edgar Allen Poe was given another funeral.
![EAP%20II[1]](http://coleyoakum.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/eap20ii11.jpg?w=272&h=426 "EAP%20II[1]")
Poe-ites of late have grown unhappy with the death he suffered in 1849. From the Baltimore Sun:
“Though already a distinguished writer at the time of his death, Poe died unexpectedly and largely destitute, and his original funeral is said to have been attended by only a handful. His death was announced on page 2 of The Sun on Oct. 8, 1849, meriting just one paragraph.”
This funeral, however, was different. Artists, writers, actors and fans of all ages as well as some people sporting “Evermore” t-shirts gathered at the new funeral, which was carried out with a fake body.
Video can be seen here.
I have always very much liked Poe. Wish I could have been in attendance.
I hope to one day be able to teach others about Poe. Though met with limited acclaim in his time I think that it was his death that provided the lens with which we look back on his work. I don’t think that The Raven has as much power if Poe lived a happy succesful life. He, like so many authors, lent credence to his work through his death.
I hope that his funeral stands as an example of his work and influence that will last, evermore.
