Who was the so-called friend that tried to ruin Edgar Allan Poe's reputation after his death?

Answer 1

Rufus Wilmot Griswold. Poe and Griswold had a problematic relationship in which each had some respect and disrespect for each other. The disrespect part grew more pronounced until they were virtual enemies of one another. After Poe's death Griswold wrote an unflattering obituary of Poe, which he signed "Ludwig", probably fearing the reaction that would be levelled against him because of it. In addition, after Poe's death, Griswold published a treatise of Poe's works and then wrote a negative biography of Poe himself. Many negative items in the biography were outright untruths.

Answer 2

The so-called friend who tried to ruin Edgar Allan Poe's reputation after his death was Rufus Griswold. Griswold published a highly critical obituary of Poe and followed up with a slanderous memoir depicting Poe in a negative light, despite having had a complicated relationship with the author during his lifetime.