McCann Forensics: How Did Edgar Allan Poe Die?

Jordan McCann recently posted this interesting article on his Forensics' blog about investigating the causes of Edgar Allan Poe's death. About a century and a half later since his mysterious demise, there is still good reason to wonder what caused it. Disease? Drunkenness? Long or short term illness? These and other possibilities have been raised. Historically, Poe entered Baltimore in bad shape in early October, 1849, and died soon after.

McCann's article is unique since it approaches his mysterious death from a forensic perspective. A discussion of what could possibly be unearthed by giving Poe's body a proper examination today follows a summary of the popular theories surrounding his death. This enduring curiosity will probably never be known in full, but McCann makes a strong case for a forensic investigation on Poe's remains to help unravel at least a little of the uncertainty.

-Grim Blogger