Podcast Summary: The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds Episode: 668 - *Edgar Allen Poe - Part 2
Release Date: January 28, 2025

Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe’s Turbulent Later Years

In the second part of their deep dive into Edgar Allan Poe’s life, hosts Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds explore the tumultuous latter years of the famed American poet and writer. They delve into Poe’s struggles with alcoholism, his fraught relationships, ongoing feuds within the literary community, and the events leading up to his mysterious death.

Poe’s Declining Reputation and Financial Struggles

The episode picks up with Poe attempting to rebuild his reputation after a series of personal and professional setbacks. Despite writing popular works like "The Mystery of Marie Roget," Poe finds himself financially strapped due to the absence of copyright laws, which prevent him from profiting adequately from his creations.

Dave Anthony (00:56):
"So Edgar is poor and well known and also known as a drunk."

Poe’s inability to secure steady income leads him to take up various journalistic endeavors, further straining his finances and personal life.

A Bitter Feud with Rufus Griswold

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Poe’s contentious relationship with Rufus Griswold, an editor who once supported him but later became his adversary. The feud escalates when Griswold publishes Poe’s poems in a poet anthology but relegates them to the back, favoring less talented friends instead.

Gareth Reynolds (03:31):
"Griswold published them near the back. So he publishes Edgar's near the back of the anthology..."

Feeling slighted, Poe responds by writing scathing reviews and critiques, not only targeting Griswold but also other authors like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This public war of words damages Poe’s standing in the literary community.

Dave Anthony (06:53):
"He never does, though. He's always... always starts with, like, his attack, and then he always throws in, like... But my personal reason."

The hosts humorously compare Poe’s relentless self-attack to modern-day internet feuds, highlighting how his behavior contributed to his isolation.

Strained Personal Relationships and Obsessive Behavior

Poe’s personal life is depicted as equally chaotic. His relationship with his wife, Virginia, is strained by his alcoholism and erratic behavior. After Virginia’s untimely death from tuberculosis, Poe’s grief manifests in disturbing actions, including entering her burial vault to express his love.

Gareth Reynolds (09:07):
"I'm the Michael Jordan of poems. You don't need to do much and he will find bullets aboard material."

His attempts to form new relationships are marred by his obsessive and inappropriate behavior. Poe’s interactions with Frances Sargent Osgood and Helen Whitman illustrate his inability to form healthy romantic connections, often leading to confrontations and further alienation.

Dave Anthony (21:21):
"It's like having a hit song."

Poe’s infatuation with women he perceives as caretakers or replacements for Virginia showcases his deep-seated emotional turmoil and dependency issues.

Final Decline and Mysterious Death

As Poe’s mental and physical health deteriorates, his behavior becomes increasingly erratic. His reliance on laudanum exacerbates his condition, leading to hallucinations and violent outbursts. The culmination of his struggles is his untimely death under mysterious circumstances in Baltimore.

Dave Anthony (62:34):
"So he takes one of the two ounces of laudanum. This is like 30 doses of morphine."

The hosts discuss various theories surrounding Poe’s death, including alcohol poisoning, syphilis, mercury poisoning, rabies, suicide, and the possibility of cooping—a form of electoral fraud involving kidnapping and forced voting.

Gareth Reynolds (74:33):
"It's like, are their names Edgar, Allen and Poe?"

Despite numerous speculations, Poe’s death remains enigmatic, adding to his enduring legacy as a tortured artist.

Legacy and Posthumous Reputation

After his death, Rufus Griswold publishes a defamatory obituary, painting Poe as a deceitful and drunken man. This distorted image overshadowed Poe’s literary achievements for decades, influencing how future generations perceived him.

Dave Anthony (85:25):
"Griswold published his obituary. It began, 'Edgar Allan Poe is dead. He died in Baltimore the day before yesterday...'"

Contrastingly, Poe’s true peers and admirers, like George Lippard, offered more balanced remembrances, recognizing his genius despite his personal flaws.

Gareth Reynolds (86:32):
"That's how you do it."

The episode concludes by reflecting on the tragic elements of Poe’s life—his genius marred by personal demons, his relentless pursuit of literary excellence, and the legacy shaped by both his work and the posthumous slander he endured.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dave Anthony (03:18):
  "So Edgar submitted three poems. The drinking doesn't seem to affect his writing at all. He just cranks him out."

• Gareth Reynolds (06:06):
  "This could be good for our boy. Assuming he can not drink."

• Dave Anthony (21:00):
  "That confusing get old."

• Gareth Reynolds (58:57):
  "She's a woman who's leaking. Too, like, bing it."

• Dave Anthony (85:25):
  "Griswold published his obituary. He accused him of not only being a drug addict, but being dishonest, distrustful, a paranoid man who often walked the streets mumbling."

Conclusion

In this comprehensive exploration of Edgar Allan Poe’s later years, Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds intertwine historical facts with their characteristic humor to paint a vivid picture of a brilliant yet troubled literary figure. They highlight the complexities of Poe’s character, his relentless pursuit of recognition, and the personal demons that ultimately led to his tragic demise. This episode serves as both an informative and entertaining portrayal of one of America’s most enigmatic writers.