New Anonymous 'Poe Toaster' Selected to Honor Poet

BALTIMORE (AP) — The next "Poe Toaster" in charge of performing a tribute at Edgar Allan Poe's gravesite has been selected.

The Baltimore Sun reports the Maryland Historical Society, Poe Baltimore and Westminster Burying Grounds decided to hold a contest to select a new Poe Toaster.

They accepted proposals for how each candidate would pay tribute to Poe. The winner was selected by a secret ballot.

The tradition started after a mysterious visitor would leave three roses and a bottle of cognac at Poe's grave on the night of his birthday. The visitor started the tradition in the 1930s until 2009.

The new Poe Toaster will perform a tribute at Poe's gravesite during the writer's birthday in January.

The identity of the new Poe Toaster is a secret.

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Information from: The Baltimore Sun, http://www.baltimoresun.com

(Story by: The Baltimore Sun, The Associated Press)