Edgar Allan Poe (1809–49) reigned unrivaled in his mastery of mystery during his lifetime and is now widely held to be a central figure of Romanticism and gothic horror in American literature. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he was orphaned at age three, was expelled from West Point for gambling, and later became a well-regarded literary critic and editor. "The Raven," published in 1845, made Poe famous. He died in 1849 under what remain mysterious circumstances and is buried in Baltimore, Maryland.

Vincent Price's film career included such classics as Tower of London, Laura, The Fall of the House of Usher, The Tomb of Ligeia and Tales of Terror.

Basil Rathbone appeared in over eighty films including Captain Blood, The Adventures of Robin Hood, and The Comedy of Terrors, and made thirteen appearances in the tremendously popular Sherlock Holmes series.