Journal of Julius Rodman

Pushkin Press presents the first mainstream edition of The Journal of Julius Rodman by Edgar Allen Poe, illustrated with photographs by Edward S. Curtis. The Journal of Julius Rodman is a fictionalised account of the first travels across the Western Wilderness, over the barrier of the Rocky Mountains. This extraordinary journal details events of the most surprising nature, and recounts the unparalleled vicissitudes and adventures experienced by a handful of men in a country which, until then, had never been explored by 'civilised man'. The first six installments of this novel were published in the Burton's Gentleman's Magazine in 1839-40, when the author was a contributing editor of the journal. When Poe left his job in June 1840, he refused to continue the novel. Extracts of Poe's work infamously appeared in 1839 Congress papers citing his account of the first passage across the Rockies by 'civilised man' as authentic. Proving to be one of Poe's more elaborate hoaxes, this reaction illuminates the extent to which his literary realism and acute attention to detail strikes a convincing background to the hero's travels.

Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1849) was an American poet, short story writer, playwright, editor, critic, essayist and one of the leaders of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of the macabre and mystery, Poe was one of the early American practitioners of the short story and a progenitor of detective fiction and crime fiction. He is also credited with contributing to the emergence of the science fiction genre. Poe died at the age of 40 of an undetermined illness.