Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe

January 19, 1809 – January 19, 1809 –

October 7, 1849October 7, 1849

Poe was an American poet, short-story writer, editor, and literary critic.He is considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Poe is best know for his tales of mystery and macabre.

Horror Genre

He was born as Edgar Poe in Boston. Poe's parents died when he was young. Poe was taken in by John and Frances Allan, of Richmond, VA, but they never formally adopted him. At the age of five Poe could recite passages of English poetry. Later one of his teachers in Richmond said: "While the other boys wrote mere mechanical verses, Poe wrote genuine poetry; the boy was a born poet." By the age of twelve, he had written enough poetry to fill a small book. The early publication is now worth over $200,000 at auction.He became estranged from his foster father after accumulating gambling debts. Unable to pay them or support himself, Poe left school and enlisted in the United States Army where he served for two years. He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career.

His LifeHis Life

Early Military CareerEarly Military Career

► In Boston on May 26, 1827, Poe enlisted in In Boston on May 26, 1827, Poe enlisted in The United States Army as a private using The United States Army as a private using the name Edgar A. Perry. After two years of the name Edgar A. Perry. After two years of service, during which he was promoted to service, during which he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant-major, he secured, with the rank of Sergeant-major, he secured, with Mr. Allan's aid, a discharge from the Army Mr. Allan's aid, a discharge from the Army and went to Baltimore. He lived there with and went to Baltimore. He lived there with his aunt, Mrs. Maria Poe Clemm, on the his aunt, Mrs. Maria Poe Clemm, on the small amounts of money sent by Mr. Allan small amounts of money sent by Mr. Allan until he received an appointment to the U.S. until he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Military Academy at West Point.

Fort Monroe, Virginia

Poe’s MarriagePoe’s Marriage► He married his cousin He married his cousin

Virginia when she was Virginia when she was only 13 years old. only 13 years old. Virginia Virginia became very ill and died became very ill and died on January 30, 1847. After on January 30, 1847. After his wife's death, Poe his wife's death, Poe perhaps yielded more perhaps yielded more often to a weakness for often to a weakness for drink, which had beset drink, which had beset him at intervals since him at intervals since early manhood. He was early manhood. He was unable to take even a unable to take even a little alcohol without a little alcohol without a change of personality, change of personality, and any excess was and any excess was accompanied by physical accompanied by physical prostration. prostration.

Still Cashing in on Edgar Allen Poe

Prior to Poe’s Prior to Poe’s writing, horror stories writing, horror stories were rather tame. were rather tame. Poe’s imagination/ Poe’s imagination/ pain was so intense, pain was so intense, that future that future generations still can generations still can “enjoy” his timeless “enjoy” his timeless creations.creations.

He finally achieved immensely He finally achieved immensely popular fame through the popular fame through the publication of “The Raven” (for publication of “The Raven” (for which he received $14) on Feb. which he received $14) on Feb. 8, 1845. He wrote it prior to wife 8, 1845. He wrote it prior to wife Virginia’s death. However, it is Virginia’s death. However, it is based on his grief he expects to based on his grief he expects to feel upon her death.feel upon her death.

Poe’s publications include:

The Fall of the House of UsherThe Tell-tale HeartThe Black CatThe Masque of the Red DeathThe Cask of Amontillado

It was many and many a year ago,In a kingdom by the sea,That a maiden there lived whom you may knowBy the name of ANNABEL LEE;And this maiden she lived with no other thoughtThan to love and be loved by me.

ANNABEL LEE

►The circumstances of The circumstances of Poe's Poe's deathdeath remain a mystery. After remain a mystery. After a visit to Norfolk and Richmond a visit to Norfolk and Richmond for lectures, he was found in for lectures, he was found in Baltimore in a pitiable condition Baltimore in a pitiable condition in the gutter. He was taken in the gutter. He was taken unconscious to a hospital where unconscious to a hospital where he died four days later on he died four days later on Sunday, October 7, 1849. His Sunday, October 7, 1849. His death was sudden and death was sudden and mysterious at age 40. Modern mysterious at age 40. Modern scientists concluded that he scientists concluded that he might have been suffering from might have been suffering from an alcohol allergy.an alcohol allergy.

He was buried in the yard of He was buried in the yard of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westminster Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland.Baltimore, Maryland.