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Why should you read Edgar Allan Poe? - Scott Peeples

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TEDEd Animation

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The prisoner strapped under a descending pendulum blade. A raven who refuses to leave the narrator’s chamber. A beating heart buried under the floorboards. Poe’s macabre and innovative stories of gothic horror have left a timeless mark on literature. But just what is it that makes Edgar Allan Poe one of the greatest American authors? Scott Peeples investigates.

Poe is often credited with inventing the modern detective story. What characteristics of detective fiction can we trace back to Poe?

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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Scott Peeples
  • Director Asparuh Petrov
  • Narrator Adrian Dannatt
  • Designer Asparuh Petrov
  • Illustrator Asparuh Petrov
  • Animator Asparuh Petrov
  • Producer Vessela Dantcheva
  • Composer Alexander Daniel, Ivailo Stefanov, Alexander Evtimov
  • Sound Designer Alexander Daniel, Ivailo Stefanov, Alexander Evtimov
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott, Elizabeth Cox
  • Script Editor Alex Gendler
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

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