Many authors have made great contributions to the world of literature. Mark Twain introduced Americans to life on the Mississippi. Thomas Hardy wrote on his pessimistic views of the Victorian Age. Another author that influenced literature is Edgar Allan Poe. Poe is known as the father of the American short story and father of the detective story. To understand the literary contributions of , one must look at his early life, his literary life, and a summary of two of his famous works. " was born in Boston'' (Inglis 505) "on Januar ....