The short story “William Wilson” by Edgar Allan Poe (January 1809- October 1849) was first published in Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine in October of 1839. The story follows the titular William Wilson, a man of noble descent, through adolescence to adulthood. In primary school, he meets another boy who looks and dresses exactly like him but can only speak in a whisper. William’s doppelganger tries to offer him advice, but he does not listen. In fear, William leaves the academy that they both attended. As a young man, William is haunted by his double as he commits acts of mischief and debauchery. His double is always there, thwarting the selfish and dangerous plans that William has. One day, William finally confronts his double and ends up killing him after a sword fight. However, after stabbing his double, a mirror appears, revealing to William that he had subsequently killed himself. This story serves as one of the major introductions of the doppelganger in Gothic Literature.