On October 7, 1849, the romantic Edgar Allan Poe perished at the Washington College Hospital. The cause of his death has been widely debated for 67 years. However, recently discovered evidence regarding a possible brain tumor has ignited a possible solution. The discovery of a “hardened mass” located in the skull’s interior, common symptoms, documents, and witness testimonies have caught the attention of hundreds of people, and might just as well prove to solve the ultimate mystery.
In 1875, the author’s remains were exhumed and placed in new grave with a larger monument. Alas, as the task was carried out, witnesses encountered what seemed to resemble a calcified brain tumor in the corpse’s skull. An 1878 article in the St. Louis Republican recalls George W. Spence, the sexton supervising the reinterment. According to the article, Spence had claimed that “His brain rattled around inside just like a lump of mud.” (Even in Death) Spence was not the only one to perceive this abnormality. A letter in the …show more content…
Even before his departure, Poe had been described to possess abnormal behavior. Prior to his death, Elmira Shelton, his fiance had noted his comportment. When questioned, Shelton had recalled “ He was very sad, and complained of being quite sick; I felt his pulse, and found he had considerable fever, and did not think it probable that he would be able to start the next morning, as he anticipated.” (Poe’s Final Mystery) Likewise, Poe’s friend and physician Dr. John Carter, shared her concern towards allowing him to travel in his state. Hence, providing evidence for a pre-existing condition. In the 1849 record of Baltimore deaths, Dr. Moran listed Poe’s demise as “Phrenitis.” (Poe’s Final Mystery) No longer possessing scientific use, the term Phrenitis refers to the inflammation of the
In 1875, the author’s remains were exhumed and placed in new grave with a larger monument. Alas, as the task was carried out, witnesses encountered what seemed to resemble a calcified brain tumor in the corpse’s skull. An 1878 article in the St. Louis Republican recalls George W. Spence, the sexton supervising the reinterment. According to the article, Spence had claimed that “His brain rattled around inside just like a lump of mud.” (Even in Death) Spence was not the only one to perceive this abnormality. A letter in the …show more content…
Even before his departure, Poe had been described to possess abnormal behavior. Prior to his death, Elmira Shelton, his fiance had noted his comportment. When questioned, Shelton had recalled “ He was very sad, and complained of being quite sick; I felt his pulse, and found he had considerable fever, and did not think it probable that he would be able to start the next morning, as he anticipated.” (Poe’s Final Mystery) Likewise, Poe’s friend and physician Dr. John Carter, shared her concern towards allowing him to travel in his state. Hence, providing evidence for a pre-existing condition. In the 1849 record of Baltimore deaths, Dr. Moran listed Poe’s demise as “Phrenitis.” (Poe’s Final Mystery) No longer possessing scientific use, the term Phrenitis refers to the inflammation of the