Edgar Allan Poe

1809-1849

Author and Poet

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, January 19, 1809,

Poe became well-known for his mysterious tales and poetry. 

Two of his most popular works are the poem “The Raven” 

and the short story “The Tell-Tale Heart.”

The critics were unkind to Poe.

His life was short and sad.

His lust for drink led some to think

That he was Raven mad.

* * *

Claude Monet

1840-1926

Artist

Born in Paris, France, November 14, 1840,

Monet was the founder of French Impressionism.

One of his most famous paintings is Water Lilies.

The water lilies of Monet

Drift upon a canvas bay.

A master of his profession,

He made a good Impression.

* * *

T. S. Eliot

1888-1965

Poet

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, September 26, 1888,

Eliot was a poet who wrote long poems with lots of footnotes.

One of his most famous poems is "The Waste Land."

Eliot was under the delusion

That everything’s an allusion.

Each line from T. S.

Requires a P.S.

* * *

Ogden Nash

1902-1971

Light Verse Poet

Born in Rye, New York, August 19, 1902,

Nash published his funny little poems in The New Yorker.

One of his most famous is "The Turtle."

Again I study and rehearse

Each measure of your pithy verse,

But since I fail to be as terse

I wish that you had done it worse.

©Charles Ghigna

Illustrations ©John Caldwell