Edgar Allan Poe's talent for horror, detective stories and poetry is well-known. But cryptography? Yes, his genius extended there too -- and will be noted at the 2009 RSA Conference, touted as the world's largest tradeshow for information security. General manager Sandra Toms LaPedis explains why:

Each year the conference determines a new creative theme, focusing on a time period or person who represents an aspect of information security or cryptography. In 2009 the influence and cryptography interests of Poe will be celebrated.

Poe may seem to be an unusual choice for an information security theme but as some may know, he was fascinated by cryptography. An American poet, short-story writer, magazine editor and literary critic, Poe often concealed anagrams and hidden messages in his works. His famous story – “The Gold Bug” – centers on the solution of a cipher, which turns out to be a map to hidden private treasure.

Poe amazed his magazine readers with a seemingly mystical ability to solve their submitted cryptograms; he even unmasked cheaters who sent in nonsense entries. In 1839, Poe conducted his own cryptographic contest, challenging readers to submit their cryptographs to him.

Poe ended the contest claiming to have solved all of the 100 ciphers sent to him. From April 20-24 at Moscone Center in San Francisco, RSA Conference 2009 will remember and celebrate Edgar Allan Poe’s life, work and his powerful and enduring legacy to furthering the field of cryptography.