Edgar Allan Poe Statue
Edgar Allan Poe, famous poet and writer, was born in Boston in 1809. He died in Baltimore on October 7, 1849. He is buried in lot 27, in the Westminster Burying Ground at Fayette and Greene Streets.
American sculptor Sir Moses Jacob Ezekiel created the statue of Poe that now resides at UB. It was commissioned by the Women's Literary Club of Baltimore in 1907. The statue was dedicated on October 20, 1921 and was originally located in Wyman Park. Due to vandalism and neglect at the site, the statue was moved to UB on the recommendation of the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore.
In 1983, it was moved to the plaza of the law school of the University of Baltimore. Poe's left hand is raised to indicate that Poe was listening to ethereal music.
In its new home, the Poe statue has been embraced as a sort of school mascot. Students have their pictures taken with the statue. A flower may often be found in the statue's lapel and, on special occasions, one hand holds a helium balloon.
For more information on the statue, go to the Edgar Allan Poe Society's page:
http://www.eapoe.org/balt/poestat.htm