Often called a master of the macabre, Edward Gorey (1925-2000) created distinctive cartoon images and stories that have delighted generations of readers. In a 1959 New Yorker review, critic Edmund Wilson said that Gorey "has been working quite perversely to please himself, and has created a whole little personal world, equally amusing and sombre, nostalgic at the same time as claustrophobic, at the same time poetic and poisoned.”

The exhibition Poetic and Poisoned: The World of Edward Gorey gives visitors a glimpse into Gorey's sometimes fanciful, sometimes ghoulishly comic universe.

The selection of books and illustrations on display are drawn from materials donated by San Diego State University alumnus Andreas Brown, a friend of Gorey's who owns the Gotham Book Mart in New York City.

The exhibition is on view from March 7 through May 31, 2003 in the display cases outside the Special Collections and University Archives department, 4th floor of the Love Library Addition.

L'Heure Bleue
Edward Gorey
New York: Fantod Press, 1975

The Epiplectic Bicycle
Edward Gorey
New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1969

During his lengthy career, Gorey not only illustrated more than 100 of his own books but also more than 60 by other authors. His characteristic style, which mixes humor with horror and mystery, is widely recognized by readers of all ages. Many of his intricate cross-hatched pen and ink drawings recall the English Edwardian era of the early 1900s. An animated version of his art work can also be viewed in the opening credits for the PBS television series, "Mystery."

Edward St. John Gorey, known as Ted to his friends, was born February 22, 1925 in Chicago. Gorey brought his offbeat, ironic, and often macabre outlook to many books, illustrations, and award-winning costume and set designs. In his career's early stages, he designed paperback covers for Anchor Books, part of Doubleday, before taking a position in that house's art department. His first book, The Unstrung Harp, was published in 1953. Gorey's physical appearance was as memorable as his works: he was very tall, white-bearded, and sported an earring in each ear. His self-portrait sometimes can be found within his books. Despite the ghoulish or menacing nature of many of his stories, Gorey himself was described as a friendly man who loved to laugh and was a well-known neighbor in his communities. Gorey died on April 15, 2000.