What is one of edgar allan poe's lasting legacies?
a. he revolutionized the language arts in schools.
b. he established america's first library.
c. he opened the field of literary criticism.
d. he was the first american writer to be published.

The correct answer is C. He opened the field of literary criticism.

Apart from being a poet and a writer during the Romantic era of American literature, Edgar Allan Poe was also a critic. As a matter of fact, while he was alive, he wasn't really famous or celebrated as an author, but rather as a critic. Only after his death did people start appreciating his art, but it was too late - he died poor. 

Edgar Allen Poe was a great writer of books, short stories, and poetry. One of his lasting legacies was that he opened the field of literary criticism. The correct answer is C.