American writer Edgar Allan Poe is notable for his dark and twisted tales of insanity. He captivated his audience with horror and macabre, and some may even credit him with creating the beginnings of the modern detective story. Poe’s content wasn’t for everyone, but enough people bought and read his stories for him to become one of the first American writers to live solely off their writing. To celebrate his birthday on January 19 and commemorate his work in American literature, we look back at the most haunting quotes from his most memorable stories.
“Years of love have been forgot
In the hatred of a minute…”
“I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity.”
“All suffering originates from craving, from attachment, from desire.”
“I felt that I breathed an atmosphere of sorrow.”
“The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague.”
“Words have no power to impress the mind without the exquisite horror of their reality.”
“And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.”
“The agony of my soul found vent in one loud, long and final scream of despair.”
“Sleep, those little slices of death — how I loathe them.”
“Nevermore.”
What are your favorite Edgar Allan Poe stories? Do you know everything about the poet’s dark past—including that he stole his cousin from her family to marry her? Creepy.
To read how Poe stacks up to a modern writer, read our article that pits him against famed horror writer Stephen King.
FEATURED IMAGE VIA ILLINOIS COLLEGE