Edgar Allan Poe was born in America in 1809. He was a poet, short story writer and journalist, Poe was also one of the first writers of detective fiction and an early exponent of science fiction. His best known works include 'The Raven' and The Fall of the House of Usher. He died in 1849. Robert Giddings is a well-established literary critic who regularly reviews for many publications including the Sunday Times, the Guardian and the New Statesman.