Finally, a Proper Funeral for Edgar Alan Poe

Edgar Alan Poe, the inventor of the detective story and creator of horror writing, is one of the most influential American writers ever. After a tumultuous career, in 1849 Poe was found, delirious and in distress, outside a Baltimore tavern. He was never coherent enough to explain what had befallen him since leaving Richmond, Virginia, a week earlier. He spent four days in a hospital before he died at age 40. Fewer than ten people turned up for his funeral in 1849. His original tombstone was destroyed. An enemy wrote his obituary and damaged his reputation for decades.

As if to make up for all these disasters, Poe is being royally treated this year. Baltimore, where Poe died and is buried, will host a double celebration in honor of Poe's 200th birthday.

On Sunday, Poe's funeral will get an elaborate do-over, with two services expected to draw about 350 people each, the most a former church next to his grave can hold. Actors portraying Poe's contemporaries and other long-dead writers and artists will pay their respects, reading eulogies adapted from their writings about Poe. Advance tickets are sold out. Fans are traveling from as far away as Viet Nam.

On Sunday morning, a horse-drawn carriage will transport the replica of Poe's body from his former home to the graveyard for the funeral.

Actor John Astin, best known as Gomez Addams on TV's "The Addams Family," will serve as master of ceremonies.

"It's sort of a way of saying, 'Well, Eddie, your first funeral wasn't a very good one, but we're going to try to make it up to you, because we have so much respect for you,'" said Astin, who toured as Poe for years in a one-man show.

For decades, Poe's birthday has been marked by the so-called Poe Toaster, a mysterious visitor who leaves three roses and some cognac on his tombstone. There is no word yet if "the Poe Toaster" will be at the new funeral or not.

The Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum can be found at http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/historic/poehouse.php.