What was Edgar Allan Poe's shoe size?

-- Anonymous, October 03, 2000

Answers

Becky,

According to the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore (http://www.eapoe.org), a writer, literary critic and acquaintance of Edgar Poe, J. H. B. Latrobe, was quoted in S. S. Rice, A Memorial Volume, 1875, p. 60. As saying

"He was dressed in black, and his frock-coat was buttoned to the throat, where it met the black stock, then almost universally worn. Not a particle of white was visible. Coat, hat, boots and gloves had very evidently seen their best days, but so far as mending and brushing go, everything had been done apparently, to make them presentable. On most men his clothes would have looked shabby and seedy, but there was something about this man that prevented one from criticizing his garments, and the details I have mentioned were only recalled afterwards. . . . Gentleman was written all over him"

There also seems to be general agreement that Poe stood about 5 foot 8 inches tall, thin but well built, with delicate hands and fingers. I cannot say with certainty that the shoe size is accurate for I do not know that 19th century footwear even came in specific sizes. However, compared to todays sizes, I would speculate his size to be between 8= to 9= . His hair was dark and curly and his complexion a pale olive color. His eyes were said to be dark gray and of his voice, it was said to be soft, mellow, melodius, and rather more flexible than powerful and, having been raised in Richmond, Virginia, he spoke with soft a Southern accent.

Regards,

-- Anonymous, October 05, 2000