Author Talk: Paul Lewis — How "The Raven" Became America's Most Famous Poem
Join Boston College Professor Emeritus Paul Lewis for a discussion of his new book, *Quothing “The Raven”: The First Responses to America’s Most Famous Poem*, examining why Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven” endured when most of the more than 5,300 poems published in American magazines in 1845 quickly faded from public attention.
Lewis will explore the poem’s early reception, including its widespread reprinting, praise, criticism, and mockery; the many parodies that replaced Poe’s “saintly bird of yore” with animals ranging from owls and gazelles to turkeys, pigs, dogs, cats, rats, and bedbugs; and the ways Poe’s reputation as a literary brawler, severe book reviewer, and financially and personally troubled writer shaped responses to the poem. Signed copies of the book will be available at this launch event.
When: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Showtimes: 2:00pm–3:00pm
Venue: Central Library in Copley Square, Rabb Hall, Lower Level, Boylston Building, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
Tickets: Price not available
Registration: Registration is required. The page listed 220 seats remaining, with registration closing on December 5 at 2:00pm.
Speaker: Paul Lewis, Professor Emeritus at Boston College, former president of the Poe Studies Association, and curator of exhibitions on literary Boston
Speaker background: As chair of the board of directors of the Edgar Allan Poe Foundation of Boston, Inc., Lewis helped establish a square honoring Poe at the intersection of Boylston Street and Charles Street South in 2010 and install a Poe statue there in 2014.
Accessibility: Disability accommodations and language services may be requested through the department listed in the event’s contact information. Requests should be made at least two weeks in advance.
Hours: The venue was listed as open from 9:00am to 5:00pm on the day of the event.
Contact: Diane, Research Services, research@bpl.org, +1-617-859-4115