William Wilson by Edgar Allan Poe

William Wilson by Edgar Allan Poe was originally published in 1839.

Inspired by his time spent living in the suburbs of London, Poe’’s uncanny story tells the tale of William Wilson and his doppelgänger. The two boys look and move similarly, and when one leaves school, the other does the same. The only difference between the two is their moral code, a disparity that eventually leads to a fatal incident in later life.

Edgar Allan Poe (1809–-1849) was an American author, editor, poet, and critic. Most famous for his stories of mystery and horror, he was one of the first American short story writers, and is widely considered to be the inventor of the detective fiction genre.

We are republishing this vintage text, William Wilson, in an affordable, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new biography of the author.

Extract from Edgar Allan Poe’s William Wilson:

Wilson’s rebellion was to me a source of the greatest embarrassment; the more so as, in spite of the bravado with which in public I made a point of treating him and his pretensions, I secretly felt that I feared him, and could not help thinking the equality which he maintained so easily with myself, a proof of his true superiority; since not to be overcome cost me a perpetual struggle. Yet this superiority — even this equality — was in truth acknowledged by no one but myself; our associates, by some unaccountable blindness, seemed not even to suspect it. Indeed, his competition, his resistance, and especially his impertinent and dogged interference with my purposes, were not more pointed than private. He appeared to be destitute alike of the ambition which urged, and of the passionate energy of mind which enabled me to excel.

***

Here, at edgarallanpoe.co.uk, you can find the best of this fantastic author’s novels, short stories, essays, and poems.

You can also find a biography of Edgar Allan Poe, along with some of his most famous and loved quotes and poems.

Through republishing works such as ‘William Wilson’, it is hoped that the writing of this author of the mystery and macabre, can continue to delight – almost two centuries after its initial publication.

Share