John Henry Ingram (1842-1916) was an English biographer and editor who took an especial interest in Edgar Allan Poe , dedicating himself to the resurrection of Poe's reputation by publishing a multi-volume collection of his works and the first reliable biography of Poe in the late 19th century. With this book, Ingram singles out Poe's greatest poem The Raven and provides commentary and insight concerning its genesis and history, then expands on its literary impact by showcasing translations (French, German, Hungarian, and Latin), fabrications, and parodies of the poem. Also included is Poe's 1846 essay The Philosophy of Composition , in which Poe himself details the process he employed to craft The Raven .