The Gold-Bug is a short story by Edgar Allan Poe published in 1843. The plot centers on a secret message that will lead to a buried treasure. Aware of the growing popularity of cryptography and code-breaking, Poe submitted this story to a writing contest sponsored by a Philadelphia newspaper. Winning the grand prize of $100, the story was then published in three installments beginning in June 1843. Set on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, the story is seen as an early form of detective fiction. It was one of the most popular of Poe’s stories during his lifetime.
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Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) was an American author of short stories, poetry, and literary criticism and theory. Titled ‘The Master of the Macabre’ he is famous for his tales of mystery and horror. He was one of the earliest masters of the short story and is widely credited as the creator of detective fiction.