"And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting ..." Written by Edgar Allan Poe and published in 1845, The Raven is one of the most famous poems in American literature. This gothic narrative poem follows a grieving scholar's descent into madness after a mysterious raven enters his study and answers his tormenting questions with the single, haunting word, "Nevermore". Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American writer, poet, editor and literary critic known for his dark, atmospheric tales and haunting poetry. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in American literature, Poe helped shape the horror and science-fiction genres and is widely credited with inventing detective fiction in his 1841 short story, Murders in the Rue Morgue. Despite a life marked by personal tragedy and financial hardship, Poe produced a number of enduring classics such as TheRaven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Fall of the House of Usher, and since his somewhat mysterious death, he and his writings have had a wide-ranging influence in popular culture. In 1946, the Mystery Writers of America established the annual Edgar award, which honour the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and film