Poe and the Writers and Artists of New England

2009 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe in Boston. Throughout his life, Poe’s relationship with New England was both troubled and passionate, from his literary criticism (including the Longfellow War) to his love affair with Sarah Helen Whitman of Providence. His first book, Tamerlane, was credited only as “By a Bostonian,” but his later visits to Boston were marred by controversy. To mark the anniversary of his birth, and to examine his relationship with New England and his profound influence on and dialogue with generations of New England’s writers, poets, visual artists and composers and musicians, the University Massachusetts Amherst will present a conference on Halloween weekend 2009. The program will include papers and panels featuring scholars, writers and artists discussing Poe, his work and his world, and his influence on past and present creative work in New England. In addition to the conference, the weekend will include public readings, book signings, a concert and exhibition of Poe-inspired visual arts. In addition, student organizations will present a Poe film series and other campus events. The conference will take place at the university’s Campus Center conference facility and hotel.

The conference will take place Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, 2009. Prior to the conference itself, on Thursday evening, October 29, there will be a public reading and book signing by several New England authors of their own poems and stories, and works by Poe. Please visit our events page for a full conference schedule.