'Poe' tells tales at Naper Settlement

On a dark, stormy night a few years ago, Naper Settlement event planners asked historical actor Terry Lynch to read some of Edgar Allan Poe's literary works at All Hallows Eve, the museum's annual Halloween event.

That weekend, Poe's works inspired Lynch to develop an entire first-person program based on Poe's life and work.

Lynch presents "Edgar Allan Poe: To Tell a Tale" as part of the History Speaks Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, in Century Memorial Chapel at Naper Settlement, 523 S. Webster St., Naperville.

He'll give a biographical sketch of Poe's life and retell of some of Poe's greatest works, including "The Raven" and "The Tell-Tale Heart."

"When I began researching Poe, I saw how frustrating his life was, how he had this creativity, and it really wasn't being acknowledged," Lynch said.

"What surprised me the most was that his stories mimic his life. I thought it was his wild imagination, but, in truth, what was going on in his life was exaggerated in his stories."

Poe was born Jan. 19, 1809, in Boston and died under mysterious circumstances on Oct. 7, 1849, in Baltimore. He is considered the inventor of the modern detective story and an innovator in the science fiction genre, who made a living as a literary critic.

Lynch said myths were built about Poe because a disgruntled rival wrote Poe's obituary to destroy his reputation; the opposite happened.

"Even to this day, there is a fascination with his life and work," Lynch said. "I think that's because he wrote about the monster that we all have inside us that we keep in check, only he let it out in his stories."

Tickets at the door are $7 for adults and $6 for students, youth and Naperville Heritage Society sustaining members; $1 less if purchased in advance tickets. Call (630) 420-6010 or visit napersettlement.org.