Edgar Allan Poe's Grave Site and Memorial, Baltimore

The Edgar Allan Poe Grave Site and Memorial marks the final resting place of Edgar Allan Poe. Located within the historic Westminster Hall and Burying Ground, the site reflects both the modest circumstances of Poe’s life and the recognition that followed his death. When Poe died in 1849, he was buried in an unmarked grave at the rear of the cemetery, a quiet spot that remained largely unnoticed for years before receiving a small marker about a decade later.

In the 1870s, as Poe’s reputation grew, a larger monument was commissioned to honor him more visibly. Designed by George A. Frederick and completed in 1874, the marble memorial was installed near the front corner of the burial ground, and Poe’s remains were moved here in 1875. The monument is notable for its restrained design, bearing only his name and dates, along with an incorrect birth year. A bas-relief bust of Poe is set into the structure, a bronze-cast version based on an earlier marble sculpture by Frederick Volck.

The surrounding setting adds to the atmosphere: Westminster Hall, a former church dating to the early 19th century, rises above the enclosed cemetery, where graves of other notable Baltimore figures form a quiet historical backdrop. Behind the church, a second stone marks Poe’s original burial location, added in 1913. Visitors often notice small tributes left at the grave, including roses and bottles of cognac.