Edgar Allan Poe, born Edgar Poe was an American writer, poet, literary critic, journalist, editor and essayist.<br />Considered one of the greatest and most influential US writers in history, Poe was the initiator of detective story, horror literature and psychological mystery, also writing science fiction and adventure stories. He was also a valuable romantic poet, anticipating symbolism and &quot;cursed&quot;.<br />Poe is considered America&#39;s first alienated writer, having had to struggle for much of his life with financial and personal problems, with alcohol abuse and later drugs, as well as with the misunderstanding of the public and criticism of the epoch.