Debate over Poe burial site rages

RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 17 (UPI) -- A representative for the family of Edgar Allan Poe said the body of the late U.S. author should not be moved from Baltimore despite claims to the contrary.

The Baltimore Sun said Sunday while some individuals have called for Poe's remains to be relocated to a U.S. city other than Baltimore, a man whose great-grandfather was the late author's cousin rejected such claims Saturday.

"In the spirit of fairness, the family simply cannot agree to move the body just yet," Harry Lee Poe said in Richmond, Va.

Baltimore, Boston and Richmond are among the cities laying claim to the legacy of Poe, given the author was born in Boston, raised in Richmond and died in Baltimore on Oct. 7, 1849.

While the Poe family representative voiced opposition to relocating the body of "The Raven" author, Poe House curator Jeff Jerome said no firm position was offered regarding what city has rightful claim to the Poe legacy.

"If they want to shy away from a dialogue about this, that's certainly their prerogative," Jerome told the Sun. "I'm pleased that they came to the conclusion they did about the body. Poe died in Baltimore, and he should stay here."