Edgar Allan Poe [Twine Bound Bundle]

Authors

Earl Clement Davis

Document Type

Manuscript

Files

Date

1909

Summary

This is one of twelve sermons Earl Davis kept together in a twine-bound collection. While these manuscripts are undated, internal evidence clearly dates them to the years 1909-1911. The United States went through a recession in 1908, and there was increasing labor unrest, including a general strike in Philadelphia in 1910. These difficulties provide some of the backdrop to these manuscripts.

One of the manuscripts, “What about City Government,” has a clear notation that it was written for the “Pipe and Pen Club,” presumably some periodic gathering to discuss issues of the day. It is possible that all – or nearly all – of these manuscripts were prepared for that gathering, as they do not read like sermons.

Davis provides a kind of psychological analysis of what he sees as Poe failing to live up to his genius. He blames Poe's step-parents, who gave him things and luxury, but not warmth and discipline. Two of the author's works briefly discussed, "William Wilson" (1839) and Eureka: A Prose Poem (1848).

The primary downloadable document contains the original document followed by the transcription. The bottom of each item page also features the primary document as an embedded pdf for browsing.

Transcription by Davis Baird. Item description based off writing and context provided by Davis Baird.

Keywords

Earl Clement Davis, ministers, Unitarianism, religion, manuscripts, Edgar Allan Poe

Recommended Citation

Davis, Earl Clement, "Edgar Allan Poe [Twine Bound Bundle]" (1909). Manuscripts. 23.
https://commons.clarku.edu/pittsfield_manuscripts/23

Rights Statement

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/