 Griswold died of tuberculosis in New York City on August 27 , 1857 . Sarah Anna Lewis , a friend and writer , suggested that the interference of Elizabeth Ellet had exacerbated Griswold 's condition and that she " goaded Griswold to his death " . At the time of his death , the sole decorations found in his room were portraits of himself , Frances Osgood , and Poe . A friend , Charles Godfrey Leland , found in Griswold 's desk several documents attacking a number of authors which Griswold was preparing for publication . Leland decided to burn them . 
