“The face of these remarkable cliffs, as might be supposed, is chequered with a variety of lines formed by the trickling of the rains down upon the soft material…”

The Journal of Julius Rodman is an unfinished serial novel first published in 1840 in which Poe presents a fictionalized account of the first expedition across the Western Wilderness, crossing the Rocky Mountains.

The story describes the group’s journey through the uncharted American wilderness, documenting the remarkable adventures, encounters with wildlife, and interactions with various Native American tribes, and is presented with such convincing realism and attention to detail that some at the time believed it to be a genuine historical account.

Despite being unfinished, The Journal of Julius Rodman is a significant, if often overlooked, part of Poes work, showcasing his talent for suspense and his mastery of vivid description.

Please note that this story contains racist language and stereotypical portrayals of non-white persons that were typical of the era in which it was written.

Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) was an American writer, poet, editor and literary critic known for his dark, atmospheric tales and haunting poetry. Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in American literature, Poe helped shape the horror and science-fiction genres and is widely credited with inventing detective fiction in his 1841 short story, Murders in the Rue Morgue. Despite a life marked by personal tragedy and financial hardship, Poe produced a number of enduring classics such as The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart, and The Fall of the House of Usher, and since his somewhat mysterious death, he and his writings have had a wide-ranging influence in popular culture. In 1946, the Mystery Writers of America established the annual Edgar award, which honour the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction and film.