Edgar Allan Poe, 1848 The Edgar Award is named for American writer Edgar Allan Poe, a master of the macabre who is credited with inventing the modern detective story. (more) Edgar Award American book award Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Edgar-Award Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Also known as: Edgar Allan Poe Award Written and fact-checked by Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Oct. 31, 2025 •Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Edgar Award, any of several annual awards presented by the Mystery Writers of America (MWA), a professional organization founded in 1945 to promote and elevate the standards of mystery writing. It is named for American writer Edgar Allan Poe, whose short story “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” (1841) is considered to be one of the first detective stories. The MWA’s slogan is “Crime doesn’t pay…enough.” The first Edgar Awards ceremony was held in 1946. Prizes...

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