Poe's Quarrel with Boston Writers

Ausgustine Joseph Hickey Duganne (1823-1884), Writer, and Felix Octavius Carr Darley (1822-1888), Illustrator
"Edgar Allan Poe"
Holden's Dollar Magazine, January 3, 1849

This satirical cartoon and poem capture a widely shared view of Poe as a harsh critic, the "Tomahawk Man."

With tomahawk upraised for deadly   blow,
Behold our literary Mohawk, Poe!
Sworn tyrant he o'er all who sin in   verse –
His own the standard, damns he all   that's worse;
And surely not for this shall he be   blamed –
For worse than his deserves that it be   damned!

Boston Public Library, Research Library Collection