©Author Adventures

Literary Maryland

The Maryland Author Adventures Trail features five writers who carried tremendous influence. Rachel Carson, Josiah Henson, H.L. Mencken, Ogden Nash, and Edgar Allan Poe were all successful during their own time and remained so into the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Rachel Carson was years ahead of her time as a female science writer who introduced the idea of taking care of our environment amid rising concerns about chemical advances in the mid-20th century.

Josiah Henson’s impact to a 19th century bestselling novel and his own autobiography paved the way for raised awareness and countless saved lives of enslaved people.

A powerful editor, H.L. Mencken’s opinions could make or break careers of writers.

Edgar Allan Poe was a pioneer in American gothic tales and so much more.

Ogden Nash’s poetry is light and endearing, covering a wide range of subjects connected to the human experience.

Readers who are especially interested in learning about literary Baltimore can read more at https://explore.baltimoreheritage.org. Some of the locations on their list are private residences and not open to the public but all represent major writers.

Click any link below for author and place information.

A. Ogden Nash, Baltimore
B. H.L. Mencken, Baltimore
C. Edgar Allan Poe, Baltimore
D. Josiah Henson, North Bethesda
E. Rachel Carson, Silver Spring and Olney

The Maryland Author Adventures Trail, which runs north-south and heads north again at the end, appears below.