Congrats to Edgar Allan Poe Society and House
Great news for the folks in Baltimore who maintain the memory of Edgar Allan Poe. Today, the Mystery Writers of America named the local Edgar Allan Poe Society and the Poe House as the 2009 recipients of the organization's Raven Award.
The award, to be presented at an April awards dinner in New York, is for outstanding achievement in the mystery field outside the realm of creative writing, the MWA said. Among past recipients of the award are the Library of Congress, Center for the Book, and President Bill Clinton.
According to MWA's President Harlan Coben, choosing the Poe Society and Poe House is doubly appropriate: "Not only does 2009 mark the anniversary of Edgar Allan Poe's 200th birthday, but Mystery Writers of America has long-considered Poe a patron saint. In fact, the Raven Award, itself, is named after Poe's famous poem, and our Edgar® Awards -- or 'Edgars,' as they're more popularly known -- are awarded annually to authors of distinguished work."
"The Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore is especially proud to receive the honor of the Raven Award during the bicentennial of Poe's birth," Jeffrey Savoye, secretary/treasurer of the nonprofit, all-volunteer Poe Society, said in an MWA news release. "Generally, we have been quietly carrying out our mission since 1923, promoting the best information available about Poe's life and works. It is gratifying to find that, occasionally, our efforts do not go unrecognized."
Poe House curator Jeff Jerome added, "I’m honored beyond words to be chosen for such a prestigious award. For 30 years I’ve been aggressively promoting the life and works of Eddie and this award has validated these efforts. The first thing I’m planning to do after receiving this award is to visit the Poe Grave and share it with Eddie."
As Coben noted, 2009 will be a huge Poe year. with a events planned by Baltimore's tourism group and the Poe House. Of course, Read Street will keepe you posted about all things Poe.
