Edgar Allan Poe was a raven.
Edgar Allan Poe ( [ poʊ ] born Edgar Poe ; January 19 , 1809 -- October 7 , 1849 ) was an American writer , editor , and literary critic . Poe switched his focus to prose and spent the next several years working for literary journals and periodicals , becoming known for his own style of literary criticism . The Mystery Writers of America present an annual award known as the Edgar Award for distinguished work in the mystery genre .