Because Poe was so steeped in western literary tradition, and since so much of his adult life was inextricably intertwined with the Anglo-American literary marketplace, one must not overlook those important influences upon his life and writings. A late comic tale “The Literary Life of Thingum Bob, Esq.” (1844) chronicles a writer-editor's career, which might well be a précis of Poe's own experiences: “I have indeed ‘made history.’ From the bright epoch which I now record, my actions – my works – are the property of mankind. They are familiar to the world.” He goes on to tell how he acquired a literary periodical, and then a second and third, which he combined into one: The Rowdy-Dow, Lollipop, Hum-Drum and Goosetherumfoodle. Thingum continues: “Yes; I have made history. My fame is universal. It extends to the uttermost ends of the earth.” To answer the question, “What is genius? [assuming that genius in an author is necessary to become successful],” he responds: “it is but diligence after all.” Responding to an inquiry about of what such diligence consists, Thingum explains: “Look at me! – how I labored – how I toiled – how I wrote! Ye Gods, did I not write? I knew not the word ‘ease’.”