Rufus Wilmot Griswold’s Gift Book

Origin
Rufus Wilmot Griswold an American editor, poet and critic with strong views on poetry. He created a comprehensive anthology of fine American poems and was highly critical of others works. He had a particular disliking with Edgar Allan Poe’s works, which turned personal when they both competed for the love of poet Frances Osgood. They never reconciled their differences and, after Poe's mysterious death in 1849, Griswold wrote an unsympathetic obituary. Claiming to be Poe's chosen literary executor, he began a campaign to harm Poe's reputation that lasted until his own death eight years later. Griswold professed to be a self-expert on poetry and supported copyrighting, even though he pirated other’s works.

Effects
The book creates a self-superiority complex in the user. They will feel themselves to be an expert in the field and capable of passing judgment on other’s achievements. They will only say positive things about their work, which may not be entirely their own, while they defame and insult anyone else with an idea. Their actual equals and superiors will experience the brunt of the slander, with the user trying to personally ruin their life.