Edgar Allen Poe, one of America's best known poets, may have been one of the most misunderstood writers of all times. Because his poems often depict scenes of violence, death and decay, people have often thought of Poe, not as the literary genius that he was, but as something of a "madman". For example, William Butler Yates claims that Poe's works were nothing short of ".... a vulgar and commonplace lunatic's attempt at writing." ( Yates Poetry ) …showed first 75 words of 4789 total…

…showed last 75 words of 4789 total…his own opinion on what a good writer represents. In the following lines, Poe emphasizes his own originality and chastises his critics: " That a poet or writer has many followers proves nothing- No Indian prince has to a palace More followers than a thief to the gallows" The writings of Edgar Allen Poe will, for generations to come, entice and disturb those who dare to study them, and he wouldn't want it any other way!