Poe's Quarrel with Boston Writers

William E. Burton to Fredrick W. Thomas
Autographed letter
May 30, 1839
[Full text]

Early in his short stint as editor of Burton's Gentleman's Magazine, Poe wrote a highly negative appraisal of the work of Baltimore poet Rufus Dawes (1803-1859), and Burton (1804-1860) refused to publish it. When Poe complained, Burton sent this letter in response. In it, Burton accuses his editor of harboring "ill-feelings toward your brother-authors, ... [and insists that] "there is no necessity for undue severity." Poe eventually published an updated version of this review in Graham's Magazine (October 1842), and it demonstrates both his willingness to chop down writers whose friends have been too complimentary and his ability to ground his insults in clear theory and forceful arguments.

Boston Public Library, Rare Books and Manuscripts