Poe published his first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems, under the pseudonymous credit “A Bostonian.” His name did not appear on the 1827 volume.
Poe was only 18 when the collection was printed in Boston by Calvin F. S. Thomas. The small, 40-page book was issued anonymously, probably partly to conceal Poe’s whereabouts from his foster father, John Allan, and partly to identify him with Boston, his birthplace. Poe had recently left Richmond and the University of Virginia after financial and personal difficulties.
The book received almost no attention at publication. Its title poem follows a conqueror who regrets sacrificing love for power, and shows the influence of Lord Byron. Later, the collection became exceptionally rare: scholars generally believe only about a dozen original copies survive. Poe’s name appeared on his next collection, Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems, in 1829.