WHITMAN, Sarah Helen. Edgar Poe and his critics.

(New York, NY): Rudd and Carleton, 1860.  First edition.  Hardcover.  19cm by 12.3cm.  81 pages, and 8 page publisher’s catalogue. A defense of Edgar Allan Poe against his detractors. Whitman, a poet and one-time fiancée of Poe, challenges the negative portrayals of him, particularly those by Rufus Wilmot Griswold, who published a damaging obituary and later a biased biography of Poe.  In the book, Whitman presents a more sympathetic view of Poe’s character, arguing that he was misunderstood and unfairly criticized. She highlights his literary genius, his struggles, and his personal integrity while refuting claims of excessive immorality and instability. The publication played a key role in reshaping Poe’s posthumous reputation, portraying him as a tragic, gifted figure rather than just a self-destructive one.  This a very good copy in original cloth, with gilt lettering and decoration to the spine.  Some faint old stains to boards, still a nice, presentable copy.