Poe, Paris, and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”

Abstract

Phillips and George Poe explore how a cultural understanding of France, and of Paris, came to Poe, and in what ways it influenced his writings. The chapter begins by discussing the ways in which Poe, as seen through the eyes of Charles Baudelaire, came to exert such a profound influence in France, Europe, and the world (ultimately even elevating Poe’s reputation back on the American scene) via the French poet’s biographical presentations of Poe and his masterful translations of Poe’s writings. It offers fresh perspectives on the relationship between Poe and France by considering Poe’s Paris—as featured in “The Murders in the Rue Morgue”—and by examining specific Parisian places (some real, some imaginary) mentioned in his initial Dupin tale of ratiocination, usually credited as being the first modern detective story.

Ai-je besoin d’avertir à propos de la rue Morgue […] qu’Edgar Poe n’est jamais venu à Paris? ¹

Do I need to point out apropos of the Rue Morgue […] that Edgar Poe never came to Paris?