Edgar Allan Poe’s 'The Raven' (1845) made him a household name, but it earned him very little money—only about $15 at the time of publication. The poem is a masterpiece of atmospheric tension, using a rhythmic 'trochaic octameter' to create a hypnotic, driving effect. Poe claimed in his essay 'The Philosophy of Composition' that he wrote the poem with mathematical precision, deciding on the word 'Nevermore' first because it provided the most mournful sound. He chose a raven because it was a 'non-reasoning creature' capable of speech. The poem's success led to Poe being nicknamed 'The Raven,' though he continued to struggle with poverty and grief until his mysterious death four years later.