The Gold-Bug

Edgar Allan Poe (Jan 19, 1809 – Oct 7, 1849) was an American author, poet, editor, and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, and is generally considered the inventor of the detective fiction genre. Poe and his works influenced literature in the United States and around the world He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career.


‘The Gold-Bug’ is a novella by American writer Edgar Allan Poe that was initially published  in 1843. This is an adventure story featuring treasure hunt. The key to the treasure is cyphered. That hook was made by Poe specially as the people of those times had a great interest in cyphers and cryptography. ‘The Gold-Bug’ won the contest held by Philadelphia Dollar Newspaper and Poe got 100 dollars for it.