On 15 May 1834, the first notice of a new magazine called The Southern Literary Messenger appeared in the Daily National Intelligencer in Washington. The Literary Messenger's publisher, Thomas W. White, defined the magazine as devoted to every department of literature and the fine arts (Thomas and Jackson 139). The first number of The Southern Literary Messenger, which was based in Richmond, VA, appeared on 5 August 1834 (Thomas and Jackson 140).
Against tremendous odds, White remained optimistic at a time when such literary ventures were rare even in the larger cities. "A local sale of 5000 copies was more probable and feasible in New York or Philadelphia, than one of 250 in Richmond" (Thomas and Jackson 140). Because Richmond was the capital of Virginia and also to many Southerners, the unspoken capital of the South, White depended on Southern patriotism for the magazine's success. In fact, James A. Heath, the Messenger's first editor, played on this patriotism within the magazine:
From our Northern and Eastern friends we have received more complimentary notices than from any of our Southern brethren without the limits of our own State. We say this not in a reproachful spirit, but in a somewhat sad conviction of mind, that we who live on the sunny side of Mason and Dixon's line are not yet sufficiently inspired with a sense of importance of maintaining our just rights, or rather our proper representation in the Republic of Letters (Mott 631).As a result, not only was White attempting to establish a successful literary enterprise, but he was also attempting to unify the entire South under his magazine.
Meanwhile, at the time of the Messenger's founding, Edgar Allan Poe resided in Baltimore while working in a brickyard. In a letter to his friend, John Pendleton Kennedy, Poe described his financial situation:
Since the day you first saw me my situation in life has altered materially. At that time I looked forward to the inheritance of a large fortune, and in the meantime, was in receipt of an annuity sufficient for my support. This was allowed me by a gentleman of Virginia (Mr. Jno Allan) who adopted me at the age of two years, (both my parents being dead) and who, until lately, always treated me with the affection of a father. But a second marriage on his part, and I dare say many follies on my own length ended in a quarrel between us. He is now dead, and has left me nothing. . . . I could not help thinking that if my situation was stated--as you could state it--to Carey & Lea, they might be led to aid me with a small sum in consideration of my M.S. now in their hands. This would relieve my immediate need (Thomas and Jackson 142).Poe's "Tales Of The Folio Club" (which he referred to in the letter), did not receive much praise from the publisher because of the Tales' brevity. In Henry Carey's reply to Kennedy he states: "I should be exceedingly glad to promote your friend's objects if I knew how, but writing is a very poor business unless a man can find the way of taking the public attention, and that is not often done by short stories. People want something larger and longer" (Thomas and Jackson 142).
Because of Poe's poor luck as a writer and his inability to find a steady teaching job in Baltimore, Kennedy implored Poe to seek employment with the Southern Literary Messenger in Richmond. In fact, Kennedy wrote Thomas White about Poe and his promising talent:
He is very clever with his pen -- classical and scholar-like. He wants experience and direction, but I have no doubt he can be made very useful to you. And poor fellow! he is very poor. I told him to write something for every number of your magazine, and that you might find it to your advantage to give him some permanent employ. . . . I have turned him to drudging upon whatever may make money, and have no doubt you and he will find your account with each other (Mott 633).On 17 April1835, Poe's "Berenice" appeared in the March Messenger. The tale received high accolades from the editor, in which he stated that Poe "discovers a superior capacity and a highly cultivated taste in composition" (Mott 633).
Poe's "Morella" and "Lionizing" also appeared in the following two issues of the Messenger with approving reviews from the editor. Poe's appreciation of White and the Messenger for his recent success was stated in a letter to White: "My poor services are not worth what you give me for them" (Mott 633).
Interestingly, as Poe made more contributions to the Messenger, the success of the magazine steadily rose. On 14 May 1835, White wrote to an associate saying, "I am pleased to tell you that I have nearly 1,000 subscribers and my list is gradually increasing" (Thomas and Jackson 151). Poe, however, took sole credit for the magazine's prosperity in a letter written late in October, 1844, where he stated that "when he joined the Messenger White had about 700 subscribers and 5,500 paying subscribers when he left; and in a letter late April 1849, to E. H. N. Patterson that during its second year the circulation of the Messenger rose from less than 1,000 to 5,000 subscribers" (Thomas and Jackson 151).
Because of Poe's increasing popularity, White offered him an office job in June 1835. Poe graciously accepted. Poe immediately began to aid White in the editing of the Messenger while continuing his contributions to the magazine. These contributions included "Hans Faal" (before July 10), "To Mary" and "The Visionary" (after 7 August), "Bon-Bon - A Tale," "The Coliseum. A Prize Poem" and "Critical Notices and Literary Intelligence" (11 September) (Thomas and Jackson 153).
Although Poe's literary career was booming at this time, his personal habits continued to hamper him. Despite White's tremendous respect for Poe's writing abilities, he was unable to completely trust the younger man as a business associate.
By September 1835, Poe boasted that he held the editorship of the Messenger. This claim is revealed in his letter to John Neal on 4 September: "Herewith I send a number of the Southern Literary Messenger, a Magazine of which I have lately obtained the Editorship"(Thomas and Jackson 167).
Despite Poe's claims, White viewed Poe's role in the magazine considerably differently. On 8 September, White wrote Lucian Minor: "Poe is now in my employ -- not as Editor. He is unfortunately rather dissipated, -- and therefore I can place very little reliance upon him. His disposition is quite amiable. He will be some assistance to me in proof-reading -- at least I hope so"(Thomas and Jackson 167). Poe's instability was also revealed in a description by a fellow worker in the magazine, John W. Ferguson:"Mr. Poe was a fine gentleman when he was sober. He was ever kind and courtly, and at such times every one liked him. But when he was drinking he was about one of the most disagreeable men I have ever met" (Thomas and Jackson 168).
Perhaps Poe's erratic behavior stemmed from his stormy personal life. A letter to Maria Clemm on 29 August, 1835 described Poe's personal trauma:
I have no desire to live and will not. . . . I love, you know I love Virginia passionately devotedly. . . . All my thoughts are occupied with the supposition that both you & she will prefer to go with N. {Neison} Poe. . . . It is useless to disguise the truth that when Virginia goes with N. P. that I shall never behold her again. . . . I had procured a sweet little house in a retired situation on church hill. . . . Among strangers with not one soul to love me" (Thomas and Jackson 166).This depression was again revealed in Poe's letter to Kennedy on 11 September 1835: "Through your influence Mr. White has been induced to employ me in assisting him with the Editorial duties of his Magazine at a salary of $520 per annum. . . . You will believe me when I say that I am still miserable in spite of the great improvement in my circumstances" (Thomas and Jackson 168).
This depression ultimately led to Poe's departure from Richmond and his travel to Baltimore in late September. White described this event in a letter to Lucian Minor on 21 September: "Poe has flew the track already. His habits were not good. -- He is in addition the victim of melancholy. I should not be at all astonished to hear that he has been guilty of suicide" (Thomas and Jackson 171).
Interestingly, the next day (22 September), Poe and Virginia E. Clemm were issued a license for marriage by the Clerk of the Baltimore County Court (Thomas and Jackson 171). By the end of the week, Poe wrote White in a plea to be reinstated with the magazine. White's reply includes a lecture and a warning:
That you are sincere in all your promises, I firmly believe. But, Edgar, when you once again tread these streets, I have my fears that your resolves would fall through, and that you would again sip the juice, even till it stole away your senses. . . . How much I regretted parting with you, is unknown to anyone on this earth, except myself. I was attached to you -- and still am, and willingly would I say return, if I did not dread the hour of separation very shortly again. If you could make yourself contented to take up your quarters in my family, or in any other private family where liquor is not used, I should think there were hopes for you. But, if you go to a tavern, or to any other place where it is used at the table, you are not safe. You have fine talents, Edgar - and you ought to have them respected as well as yourself. Learn to respect yourself, and you will very soon find that you are respected. Separate yourself from the bottle, and bottle-companions, for ever! Tell me if you can and will do so - and let me hear that it is your fixed purpose never to yield to temptation. If you should come to Richmond again, and again should be an assistant in my office, it must be expressly understood by us that all engagements on my part would be dissolved, the moment you get drunk (Thomas and Jackson 172).After this letter, Poe returned to Richmond where he continued business as usual and, for a time, curbed his excessive behavior.
Despite these unusual events, the September edition of the Messenger contained Poe's "Loss of Breath, a tale a la Blackwood," "Lines Written in an Album," "King Pest the First. A Tale Containing an Allegory," "Shadow. A Fable," and several critical notices by Poe (Thomas and Jackson 172).
In fact, Poe's criticism within the Messenger ultimately became a critical asset to the magazine's success and popularity. One of Poe's controversial and popular critiques involved his bashing of Norman Leslie, a novel written by Theodore S. Fay, who was one of the editors of the successful New York Mirror (Mott 635). This bold and fearless approach to criticism caused Poe's reputation to increase in the eye of the public.
By December 1835, Poe became official editor of the Messenger, a job which he would hold until January, 1837. The December edition contained Poe's "Scenes from an Unpublished Drama," "MS. Found In a Bottle," and several critical notices (Thomas and Jackson 181).
Throughout the rest of his career as editor, Poe contributed works including "Paradise Lost," "Letter to B -" (July, 1836), and "Editorial" (September, 1836) (Thomas and Jackson 183).
In addition, White was forced to confront Poe with his alcoholic behavior for the last time. On 27 December, White wrote Beverly Tucker revealing his final intentions for Poe:
Highly as I really think of Mr. Poe's talents, I shall be forced to give him notice, in a week or so at farthest, that I can no longer recognize him as editor of my Messenger. Three months ago, I felt it my duty to give him a similar notice, and was afterwards overpersuaded to restore him to his situation on certain conditions -- which conditions he has again forfeited. Added to all this, I am cramped by him in the exercise of my own judgement, as to what articles I shall or shall not admit into my work. It is true that I neither have his sagacity, nor his learning -- but I do believe I know a handspike from a saw. . . . I mean to dispense with Mr. Poe as my editor. . . . if he chooses to write as a contributor, I will pay him well (Thomas and Jackson 236).On 3 January, Poe stepped down as editor of the Messenger. Later that month, White again wrote Tucker stating his pleasure with the dismissal of Poe: "the Messenger is safe. It shall live -- and it shall outlive all injury it has sustained from Mr. Poe's management" (Thomas and Jackson 241).
Poe's literary contributions to the Messenger continued with his serial The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym which began in January, 1837; however, this serial proved to be short-lived as it was discontinued after only the second installment (Mott 639).
Throughout the rest of his lifetime, Poe continued to contribute to the Messenger, although much less frequently. John R. Thompson agreed to publish Poe's "The Rationale of Verse" in August, 1848 (Thomas and Jackson 749).
Later, in 1849, the first of five installments of Poe's "Marginalia" was published. Thompson, the editor, explained his reasons for the installments:
Some years since Mr. Poe wrote for several of the Northern magazines a series of critical brevities under the title of 'Marginalia.' They attracted great attention at that time and since, as characteristic of the author, and we are sure that our readers will be gratified at his resuming them in the Messenger"(Thomas and Jackson 798).
Poe's final contribution to the Messenger, "Annabel Lee," actually appeared a month after his death in the November 1849 issue. Poe gave Thompson this poem as a personal keepsake on 26 September. After his death, Thompson published it, claiming that it was "designed for this magazine" (Thomas and Jackson 843).
Despite Poe's alcoholic shortcomings, he proved to be a major factor in the long success of the Southern Literary Messenger. Although his erratic behavior forced him out of his administrative post at the magazine, he continued his contributions throughout the rest his lifetime. During his experiences with the Southern Literary Messenger, not only did he become an extremely respected author, but he also took part in the molding of a major American literary magazine.
Mott, Frank. A History Of American Magazines. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1930.
Thomas, Dwight and David K. Jackson. The Poe Log. Boston: G.K. Hall & Co., 1987.