Edgar Allan Poe was born.
Edgar Allan Poe ( [ poʊ ] born Edgar Poe ; January 19 , 1809 -- October 7 , 1849 ) was an American writer , editor , and literary critic . In January 1845 , Poe published his poem `` The Raven '' to instant success . Poe and his work appear throughout popular culture in literature , music , films , and television .