Downtown in Baltimore, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Latrobe House
On an evening in October, 1833, three of Baltimore's most discerning gentlemen were gathered around a table in the back parlor of this house. Fortified with "some old wine and some good cigars," John Pendleton Kennedy, James H. Miller and John H. B. Latrobe poured over manuscripts submitted in a literary contest sponsored by the Baltimore Sunday Visiter. Their unanimous choice for best prose was "MS. Found in a Bottle, a curious and haunting tale of annihilation. The fifty dollar prize was awarded to the story's unknown, penniless author - Edgar Allen Poe.
Poe had come to Baltimore in the spring of 1831, after his dismissal from West Point. He had no money, no trade and no reputation. The four years he spent in Baltimore were a period of intense creativity. His major effort during those years were sixteen tales he wrote for the Folio Club, an imaginary literary club of his own creation. One of these sixteen tales was "MS. Found in a Bottle."
The prize for this story, the public recognition that it brought and the lifelong friendship it generated between Poe and literary patron Kennedy helped to launch Poe on his brilliant career. He left Baltimore in 1835 to become the editor of the Southern Literary Messenger.
Erected by the City
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Maryland, Baltimore City historical markers series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1833.
Location. 39° 17.642′ N, 76° 36.981′ W. Marker is in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in Downtown. Marker is on West Mulberry Street (U.S. 40) just east of Cathedral Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13 W Mulberry St, Baltimore MD 21201, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. James Cardinal Gibbons Monument (a few steps from this marker); The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (within shouting distance of this marker); Basilica of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (within shouting distance of this marker); Creating an American Culture: The Golden Age of Baltimore (within shouting distance of this marker); Enoch Pratt Free Library (within shouting distance of this marker); George Washington Bicentennial Marker (within shouting distance of this marker); Votes for Women (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pope John Paul II Monument (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baltimore.
Related marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 15, 2021. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 141 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
