Visiting Edgar Allan Poe’s Baltimore Grave

Edgar Allan Poe died on October 7th, 1849 in Baltimore Maryland in a state of delirium under mysterious circumstances. To this day no one is certain what killed the literary genius. His last words “Lord help my poor soul.” Poe’s writings have touched the souls of generations of people worldwide for more than 150 years. Today many people visiting Baltimore, take time to pay their respects to his grave.

“All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream”

— Edgar Allan Poe

Poe is buried at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Baltimore. He was initially laid to rest with a small sandstone headstone, which, for some reason lost to history, has the number “80” carved in it. Years after his death, rumors began circulating that Poe’s grave was overgrown and a disheveled mess, not fitting for such a literary giant. By the mid-1860s, a movement had begun to give Baltimore’s poet a monument more fitting of his stature. The memorial would be dedicated in 1875, more than 25 years after his death. Those in attendance included members of his family and another great American poet, Walt Whitman. Whitman briefly met Poe a few years before his death. Poe’s new grand headstone was designed by George A. Frederick, who was also the architect of Baltimore’s City Hall. The monument is indeed impressive but also partly incorrect. Poe’s birthday is erroneously engraved as January 20th rather than January 19th.

“I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.”

— Edgar Allan Poe

Thousands visit Edgar Allan Poe’s Baltimore grave each year

Today, thousands of people pay their respects to Poe by visiting his grave. While you are there you can visit the site of Poe’s original burial. However it’s disputed if that is the actual site of his original grave, some believe it is not. The original grave is the site the fabled “Poe Toaster” visited for many years.

“Sleep, those little slices of death — how I loathe them.”

— Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe is ingrained into Baltimore’s history. While you are in the Charm City, there are several other noteworthy Poe attractions. Including the home, he lived in while residing in the city. You can book a house tour and see where he called home. Also, you can raise your glass to Poe, much like the toaster, at “The Horse You Came in on Saloon.” The Fell’s Point bar which has been open since 1775 claims to be the last place Poe had a drink before he died.

“Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before.”

— Edgar Allan Poe