For 50 years, starting in 1949, a man visited Edgar Allan Poe’s grave every year on his birthday and raised a toast to the poet. Leaving behind roses and Cognac, the mysterious figure became known as the Poe Toaster. The identity of the Poe Toaster has never been revealed and the visits ceased in 2009. 

In honor of Edgar Allan Poe’s 205th birthday, and in memory of the now-vanished Poe Toaster, Atlas Obscura wanted to offer our very own literary and literal toast to Poe. This one’s for you Edgar. 

See all of our Poe places and articles in our Edgar Allan Poe category and special thanks to Burnt Impressions for their help.