Edgar Allen Poe was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic who is widely regarded as a major figure in the history of American literature. He is best known for his dark and mysterious works of poetry and short stories, such as 'The Raven' and 'The Tell-Tale Heart'. He is also credited with inventing the modern detective story. Poe's life was marked by tragedy and personal struggles, which often found their way into his writing.