Born in 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts, Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. He is known for his tales of mystery and horror, which helped pioneer the modern detective fiction genre. Some of his most famous works include "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Fall of the House of Usher." His 1845 poem "The Raven" is considered one of the best-known poems in American literature.