William Evans Burton teamed with publisher Charles Alexander to produce a magazine inspired by the successful ''
The Gentleman's Magazine in London. To offset the financial adversity amidst the Panic of 1837, they focused on local authors and nationalist themes, signaled in part by a frontispiece with both patriotic and gentlemanly imagery as well as an illustration of Benjamin Franklin. Burton hoped to create a magazine that would be "worthy of a place upon every parlour table of every gentleman in the United States". The magazine included poems, fiction, and essays, with an emphasis on sporting life. Articles featured sailing, cricket, hunting, and more. To compete with other magazines of the time, Burton's'' included extra
illustrations and thicker paper than standard. They released their first issue in July 1837 and Burton bought out his partner to become the sole owner in December 1838.
Edgar Allan Poe The magazine's most famous contributor and one-time editor was
Edgar Allan Poe. Poe approached Burton to offer his services in May 1839. His role included editing articles and proofreading as well as original contributions like critical reviews. In ''Burton's'', Poe published now several of his own original tales including "
The Man That Was Used Up" (August 1839), "
The Fall of the House of Usher" (September 1839), "
William Wilson" (October 1839), "
Morella" (November 1839), "
The Conversation of Eiros and Charmion" (December 1839) and "
The Business Man" (February 1840). Burton urged Graham to "take care of my young editor" by rehiring Poe. ==See also==