Born on this day...

“The Raven”, the poem that made Poe a celebrity was first published on 29 January 1845.

This is a photograph of Charles Dickens' pet raven Grip who was stuffed and now lives in the Free Library of Philadelphia (Gimbel Collection). The raven in BARNABY RUDGE, a book Poe greatly admired, was modelled on Grip and it's said that BARNABY RUDGE inspired Poe's revered poem.

This bust of Pallas Athena with a raven perched on top is also in the Free Library of Philadelphia -- well worth a visit, as the museum there that was formerly Poe's home.