EdgarEdgarAllanAllanPoePoe1809 - 1809 - 18491849

Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe is best known for is best known for his poems and his poems and short fiction. short fiction. Moreover, he Moreover, he was the father of was the father of the modern the modern mystery. mystery. Additionally, Poe Additionally, Poe has had a has had a worldwide worldwide influence on influence on literature.literature.

David and Elizabeth Arnold Poe, Poe's David and Elizabeth Arnold Poe, Poe's parents, were traveling actors, Paid parents, were traveling actors, Paid poorly and scorned by respectable poorly and scorned by respectable society, the Poes scrounged what money society, the Poes scrounged what money they could to start a family. In 1807 they could to start a family. In 1807 they had a son, William Henry Leonard, they had a son, William Henry Leonard, but were so poor that they had to send but were so poor that they had to send him to live with David Poe's parents. him to live with David Poe's parents.

On January 19, 1809, On January 19, 1809, Elizabeth gave birth Elizabeth gave birth to her second son, to her second son, Edgar. In order to Edgar. In order to keep her son, keep her son, Elizabeth returned to Elizabeth returned to the stage three the stage three weeks after his birth. weeks after his birth. The baby's father The baby's father was no help: he was no help: he disappeared soon disappeared soon after Edgar's birth after Edgar's birth and was not heard of and was not heard of again until a again until a newspaper clipping newspaper clipping revealed his death, of revealed his death, of tuberculosis (known tuberculosis (known then as then as consumption), in consumption), in October of 1810. October of 1810.

Poe’s Mother

The infant Poe The infant Poe accompanied his accompanied his mother on her mother on her ceaseless theatrical ceaseless theatrical tours, watching from tours, watching from the wings as the wings as Elizabeth recreated Elizabeth recreated her favorite roles her favorite roles from Shakespeare. from Shakespeare. Poe later Poe later remembered her as a remembered her as a princess in flowing princess in flowing white robes, ethereal white robes, ethereal in her beauty. On in her beauty. On December 8, 1811, December 8, 1811, Elizabeth Poe, aged Elizabeth Poe, aged twenty-four, died twenty-four, died from tuberculosis. from tuberculosis.

"The small fairy-like figure of his mother "The small fairy-like figure of his mother wearing her best gown, her face white as wearing her best gown, her face white as wax after the hectic colour of her last days, wax after the hectic colour of her last days, illuminated by candles, an ultimate dream-illuminated by candles, an ultimate dream-lady deep in her mysterious sleep, remained lady deep in her mysterious sleep, remained one of the most haunting images of Poe's one of the most haunting images of Poe's childhood," wrote biographer Mankowitz. childhood," wrote biographer Mankowitz.

Poe was adopted by John and Frances Allan, Poe was adopted by John and Frances Allan, a childless couple from Richmond, Virginia a childless couple from Richmond, Virginia and went dramatically from rags to riches. and went dramatically from rags to riches. John Allan was a prosperous merchant who John Allan was a prosperous merchant who dealt in tobacco, feed, farm animals, and dealt in tobacco, feed, farm animals, and slaves, and owned a large home in town. slaves, and owned a large home in town. Though Frances Allan loved Edgar like her Though Frances Allan loved Edgar like her own child, his foster father, John Allan, was own child, his foster father, John Allan, was not as enthusiastic. not as enthusiastic.

Poe was an "attractive Poe was an "attractive and intelligent child", and intelligent child", and he entertained his and he entertained his parents' guests by parents' guests by reciting long passages reciting long passages from poems. Though from poems. Though John Allan resisted the John Allan resisted the role of father, he was role of father, he was fiercely proud of the boy fiercely proud of the boy and took care to send and took care to send him to the best schools him to the best schools money could buy. The money could buy. The Allan family moved to Allan family moved to England to attend to England to attend to business in 1815 and in business in 1815 and in 1818 Poe began to 1818 Poe began to attend the Manor House attend the Manor House boarding school in the boarding school in the village of Stoke village of Stoke Newington.Newington.

Poe had gone to Poe had gone to England as a frail England as a frail child, but the child, but the exercise regimen exercise regimen practiced by the practiced by the English schools had English schools had made him strong. made him strong. When he returned When he returned to Richmond with to Richmond with his family in 1820 his family in 1820 he became a leader he became a leader among his boyhood among his boyhood friends. "His friends. "His athletic exploits athletic exploits became legendary," became legendary," wrote biographer wrote biographer Suzanne LeVert.Suzanne LeVert.

"He was able to broad-jump a "He was able to broad-jump a distance of 21 feet 6 inches on a distance of 21 feet 6 inches on a dead-level run of 20 yards. At the dead-level run of 20 yards. At the age of 15 he swam a distance of 7 age of 15 he swam a distance of 7 1/2 miles against a strong tide." Poe 1/2 miles against a strong tide." Poe succeeded in school as well, learning succeeded in school as well, learning several languages and devoting several languages and devoting himself to great literature and the himself to great literature and the written word. "His imaginative written word. "His imaginative powers seemed to take precedence powers seemed to take precedence over all his other faculties," recalled over all his other faculties," recalled the headmaster at one of Poe's the headmaster at one of Poe's schools, "he gave proof of this in his schools, "he gave proof of this in his juvenile compositions, addressed to juvenile compositions, addressed to his young lady friends." his young lady friends."

At the age of 14, Poe At the age of 14, Poe became devoted to became devoted to Jane Stanard, the Jane Stanard, the mother of a classmate. mother of a classmate. Poe was crushed to Poe was crushed to find that she was dying find that she was dying of a malignant brain of a malignant brain tumor. Recasting Jane tumor. Recasting Jane as Helen, Poe wrote as Helen, Poe wrote one of his best early one of his best early poems, called "To poems, called "To Helen." "In Edgar's Helen." "In Edgar's mind," wrote LeVert, mind," wrote LeVert, "beauty was now "beauty was now forever linked with forever linked with death." death."

As Poe became As Poe became increasingly romantic, increasingly romantic, dedicating his life to dedicating his life to reading and writing, his reading and writing, his adoptive father grew ever adoptive father grew ever more critical. Describing more critical. Describing Poe in a letter as Poe in a letter as "miserable, sulky, and ill-"miserable, sulky, and ill-tempered," Allan was cold tempered," Allan was cold to Poe and constantly to Poe and constantly reminded him of the debt reminded him of the debt of gratitude he owed to of gratitude he owed to the Allans.the Allans.

At the same time, Allan At the same time, Allan continued to provide for continued to provide for Poe, and in 1826 sent him Poe, and in 1826 sent him to the University of to the University of Virginia at Virginia at Charlottesville, but Poe Charlottesville, but Poe soon ran himself into soon ran himself into debt. debt.

Worse than Poe's Worse than Poe's gambling was his gambling was his drinking. Poe did drinking. Poe did not drink for not drink for pleasure; rather, pleasure; rather, he rushed he rushed headlong into a headlong into a stupor, gulping stupor, gulping alcohol as quickly alcohol as quickly as he could until as he could until he reached the he reached the point of oblivion. point of oblivion. Once the Once the excitement of the excitement of the drink passed, Poe drink passed, Poe would often pass would often pass out. out.

Poe's drinking plagued him Poe's drinking plagued him throughout his life, and eventually throughout his life, and eventually led to his death. But it is uncertain led to his death. But it is uncertain whether Poe was in fact an alcoholic. whether Poe was in fact an alcoholic. Following his youthful drinking Following his youthful drinking binges, Poe drank only sporadically. binges, Poe drank only sporadically. Yet when he was depressed, as he was Yet when he was depressed, as he was quite often in his life, he needed only quite often in his life, he needed only a few drinks to push him over the a few drinks to push him over the edge. "Most biographers agree that edge. "Most biographers agree that Poe was a "problem" drinker, whose Poe was a "problem" drinker, whose tumultuous temperament simply tumultuous temperament simply could not bear the exciting affects of could not bear the exciting affects of drink." drink."

Poe's foster father had had enough of Poe's foster father had had enough of his foster son's behavior in the winter of his foster son's behavior in the winter of 1826 and 1827, and when he refused to 1826 and 1827, and when he refused to pay Poe's debts, Poe was forced to pay Poe's debts, Poe was forced to withdraw from the university. Then, in withdraw from the university. Then, in March of 1827, Allan issued an March of 1827, Allan issued an ultimatum to Poe: live by my rules or ultimatum to Poe: live by my rules or leave. Poe left with only the clothes on leave. Poe left with only the clothes on his back and, as he later wrote in a his back and, as he later wrote in a letter begging for money, "not one cent letter begging for money, "not one cent in the world to provide any food." For in the world to provide any food." For the rest of his life, Poe would wander the rest of his life, Poe would wander from job to job and city to city, looking from job to job and city to city, looking for financial and emotional support, but for financial and emotional support, but also looking for some way to exercise his also looking for some way to exercise his intellect and his churning imagination. intellect and his churning imagination. It would be a long and frustrating It would be a long and frustrating journey. journey.

Little is known about his life in this Little is known about his life in this time, but in 1833 he lived in time, but in 1833 he lived in Baltimore with his father's sister Baltimore with his father's sister Mrs. Maria Clemm. After winning a Mrs. Maria Clemm. After winning a prize of $50 for the short story 'MS prize of $50 for the short story 'MS Found in a Bottle,' he started a Found in a Bottle,' he started a career as a staff member of various career as a staff member of various magazines, including the magazines, including the Southern Southern Literary MessengerLiterary Messenger in Richmond in Richmond (1835-37), (1835-37), Burton's Gentleman's Burton's Gentleman's MagazineMagazine in Philadelphia (1839-40), in Philadelphia (1839-40), and and Graham's MagazineGraham's Magazine (1842-43). (1842-43). During these years he wrote some of During these years he wrote some of his best-known stories.his best-known stories.

For the moon never beams For the moon never beams without bringing me dreamswithout bringing me dreams

Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;And the stars never rise but I feel And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyesthe bright eyesOf the beautiful Annabel Lee;Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;And so, all the night-time, I lie And so, all the night-time, I lie down by the sidedown by the sideOf my darling - my darling - my Of my darling - my darling - my life and my bride,life and my bride,In the sepulcher there by the sea,In the sepulcher there by the sea,In her tomb by the sounding sea.In her tomb by the sounding sea.(from 'Annabel Lee', 1849)(from 'Annabel Lee', 1849)

In 1836 Poe married In 1836 Poe married his 13-year-old cousin his 13-year-old cousin Virginia Clemm. In Virginia Clemm. In 1842 she ruptured a 1842 she ruptured a blood vessel, and blood vessel, and remained disabled remained disabled until her death from until her death from tuberculosis five years tuberculosis five years later. After the death later. After the death of his wife, Poe began of his wife, Poe began to lose his struggle to lose his struggle with drinking and with drinking and drugs. He addressed drugs. He addressed the famous poem the famous poem 'Annabel Lee' (1849) to 'Annabel Lee' (1849) to her - its subject, Poe's her - its subject, Poe's favourite, is the death favourite, is the death of a beautiful woman.of a beautiful woman.

Poe's first collection, Poe's first collection, Tales of the Grotesque Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesqueand Arabesque, , appeared in 1840. It appeared in 1840. It contains one of his most contains one of his most famous works, 'The Fall famous works, 'The Fall of the House of Usher.' of the House of Usher.' In the story the narrator In the story the narrator visits the crumbling visits the crumbling mansion of his friend, mansion of his friend, Roderick Usher, and Roderick Usher, and tries to dispel Roderick's tries to dispel Roderick's gloom. Although his gloom. Although his twin sister, Madeline, twin sister, Madeline, has been placed in the has been placed in the family vault, Roderick is family vault, Roderick is convinced she lives. convinced she lives. Madeline arises in a Madeline arises in a trance, and carries her trance, and carries her brother to his death. The brother to his death. The house itself splits house itself splits asunder and sinks into asunder and sinks into the tarn.the tarn.

By 1841, Poe had begun By 1841, Poe had begun writing a kind of story writing a kind of story unlike any attempted in unlike any attempted in the history of fiction. the history of fiction. The first one, The The first one, The Murders in the Rue Murders in the Rue Morgue was the model Morgue was the model for the modern for the modern detective story. It detective story. It featured a brilliant featured a brilliant detective named C. detective named C. Auguste Dupin and his Auguste Dupin and his slow-minded companion slow-minded companion to whom everything to whom everything must be explained, Poe must be explained, Poe called his story a "tale called his story a "tale of ratiocination," for it of ratiocination," for it involved solving a crime involved solving a crime through a rigorous through a rigorous process of rational process of rational thought and detection. thought and detection.

For four years, For four years, between 1841 and between 1841 and 1845, Poe wrote 1845, Poe wrote more of this type of more of this type of story. Titles story. Titles included The included The Mystery of Marie Mystery of Marie Roget, The Roget, The Purloined Letter, Purloined Letter, and The Gold Bug. and The Gold Bug. In each of these In each of these stories, the stories, the detective sifts detective sifts through the through the available clues to try available clues to try to arrive at the to arrive at the solution to the solution to the mystery. mystery.

Poe's detective tales are among his most Poe's detective tales are among his most well known. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who well known. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who created Sherlock Holmes, the most created Sherlock Holmes, the most famous detective in fiction, once said famous detective in fiction, once said that Poe "was the father of the detective that Poe "was the father of the detective tale." In the twentieth century, many of tale." In the twentieth century, many of Poe's detective stories were made into Poe's detective stories were made into popular movies, for the suspense and the popular movies, for the suspense and the action of these stories transferred well to action of these stories transferred well to the screen. Poe himself thought less of the screen. Poe himself thought less of these stories than of those that depended these stories than of those that depended on creating and sustaining a mood, but on creating and sustaining a mood, but these stories earned him an improved these stories earned him an improved reputation and more money--$1200 a reputation and more money--$1200 a year--than he had ever earned before.year--than he had ever earned before.

In January of 1845, Poe In January of 1845, Poe published the poem that published the poem that would bring him his would bring him his greatest fame, "The greatest fame, "The Raven." 'The Raven' Raven." 'The Raven' portrays ... the portrays ... the monomaniacal obsession monomaniacal obsession of a melancholy man of a melancholy man who is hovering on the who is hovering on the edge of madness," This edge of madness," This melancholy man asks a melancholy man asks a raven perched upon his raven perched upon his windowsill if he will windowsill if he will meet his dead lover, meet his dead lover, Lenore, in the afterlife: Lenore, in the afterlife: Quoth the Raven, Quoth the Raven, 'Nevermore!'"'Nevermore!'"

The poem created an immediate The poem created an immediate sensation and made Poe a minor sensation and made Poe a minor celebrity. 'The Raven' was reprinted celebrity. 'The Raven' was reprinted throughout the country and inspired a throughout the country and inspired a great number of imitations and great number of imitations and parodies. One critic wrote that "Mr. Poe parodies. One critic wrote that "Mr. Poe has attained an individual eminence in has attained an individual eminence in our literature, which he will keep. our literature, which he will keep. He He has given proof of power and has given proof of power and originality"originality"

From E. Poe’s From E. Poe’s Reminiscences:Reminiscences: I knew in my bones that "The Raven" I knew in my bones that "The Raven"

would be a hit with my audience. As I would be a hit with my audience. As I told my friend F.W. Thomas in 1845, told my friend F.W. Thomas in 1845, the year "The Raven" was first the year "The Raven" was first published: "'The Raven' has had a great published: "'The Raven' has had a great 'run,' Thomas - but I wrote it for the 'run,' Thomas - but I wrote it for the express purpose of running - just as I express purpose of running - just as I did the 'Gold-Bug', you know. The bird did the 'Gold-Bug', you know. The bird beat the bug, though, all hollow." "The beat the bug, though, all hollow." "The Raven" indeed remains my most famous Raven" indeed remains my most famous poem. Few, though, have dared to poem. Few, though, have dared to venture into the deepest folds of its venture into the deepest folds of its feathered lines, to appreciate fully what feathered lines, to appreciate fully what I have created. Will you jounce about I have created. Will you jounce about the surface like so many others? Or do the surface like so many others? Or do you have the patience and resolve to you have the patience and resolve to delve into its deeper mysteries? delve into its deeper mysteries?

The dark poem of lost The dark poem of lost love, 'The Raven,' love, 'The Raven,' brought Poe national brought Poe national fame, when it appeared fame, when it appeared in 1845. Poe suffered in 1845. Poe suffered from bouts of from bouts of depression and depression and madness, and he madness, and he attempted suicide in attempted suicide in 1848. In September the 1848. In September the following year, he following year, he disappeared for three disappeared for three days on his way to visit days on his way to visit his new fiancé after a his new fiancé after a drinking session at a drinking session at a birthday party. He was birthday party. He was eventually found in a eventually found in a delirious condition in a delirious condition in a Baltimore gutter and Baltimore gutter and died on October 7, died on October 7, 1849.1849.

The Contemporaries wrote:The Contemporaries wrote: Poe traveled by steamer to Baltimore Poe traveled by steamer to Baltimore

and arrived there on September and arrived there on September twenty ninth. Exactly what happened twenty ninth. Exactly what happened to him in that city cannot now be to him in that city cannot now be ascertained. An election was in ascertained. An election was in progress, and the preponderance of progress, and the preponderance of evidence points to the fact that he evidence points to the fact that he began to drink and fell into the hands began to drink and fell into the hands of a gang of repeaters who probably of a gang of repeaters who probably gave him drugged liquor and voted gave him drugged liquor and voted him. On October third he was found him. On October third he was found by Dr. James E. Snodgrass, an old by Dr. James E. Snodgrass, an old friend, in a, horrible condition at a friend, in a, horrible condition at a low tavern in Lombard Street. low tavern in Lombard Street.

Summoning a relative of Poe, Dr. Summoning a relative of Poe, Dr. Snodgrass had the now unconscious Snodgrass had the now unconscious and dying poet taken in a carriage to and dying poet taken in a carriage to the Washington Hospital and put into the Washington Hospital and put into the care of Dr. J. J. Moran, the resident the care of Dr. J. J. Moran, the resident physician. Several days of delirium physician. Several days of delirium ensued with only a few intervals of ensued with only a few intervals of partial consciousness. He called partial consciousness. He called repeatedly for one "Reynolds," and repeatedly for one "Reynolds," and gave vent to every indication of utter gave vent to every indication of utter despair. Finally on Sunday morning, despair. Finally on Sunday morning, October 7, 1849, "He became quiet and October 7, 1849, "He became quiet and seemed to rest for a short time. Then, seemed to rest for a short time. Then, gently, moving his head, he said, 'Lord gently, moving his head, he said, 'Lord help my poor soul.'" As he had lived so help my poor soul.'" As he had lived so he died--in great misery and tragedy. he died--in great misery and tragedy.

Monuments to Edgar Allan Poe