The BeginningThe Beginning Born January 19, 1809 in Born January 19, 1809 in

Boston, Massachusetts.Boston, Massachusetts. He was the second child born He was the second child born

to traveling actors.to traveling actors. Poe’s father abandoned them Poe’s father abandoned them

shortly after his birth and his shortly after his birth and his mother died of tuberculosis a mother died of tuberculosis a year afterwards.year afterwards.

He was taken in by John Allan, He was taken in by John Allan, a successful merchant and his a successful merchant and his wife.wife.

They would give him the They would give him the name “Edgar Allan Poe”.name “Edgar Allan Poe”.

In spite of this, he would In spite of this, he would never be legally adopted by never be legally adopted by them.them.

By May 27, 1827, Poe enlisted in the U.S. Army as private By May 27, 1827, Poe enlisted in the U.S. Army as private because he was unable to support himself. From this because he was unable to support himself. From this experience he would later get the idea for experience he would later get the idea for The Cask of The Cask of AmontilladoAmontillado..

On February 8, 1831 he was court- martialed for neglecting On February 8, 1831 he was court- martialed for neglecting his duties and disobedience of orders.his duties and disobedience of orders.

After his elder brother’s death in August 1831, he chose to After his elder brother’s death in August 1831, he chose to start a career as a writer. start a career as a writer.

By some accounts, he is the first well-known American By some accounts, he is the first well-known American writer to try and make a living on writing alone!writer to try and make a living on writing alone!

In October 1833, after receiving a writing award from a Baltimore paper, In October 1833, after receiving a writing award from a Baltimore paper, Poe became assistant editor for the Poe became assistant editor for the Southern Literary MessengerSouthern Literary Messenger..

He was fired weeks later due to being inebriated repeatedly.He was fired weeks later due to being inebriated repeatedly. He then married his 13 year old cousin, Virginia Clemm on September 22 He then married his 13 year old cousin, Virginia Clemm on September 22

1835. She died in January 1842 due to tuberculosis. The same ailment that 1835. She died in January 1842 due to tuberculosis. The same ailment that killed Poe’s birth motherkilled Poe’s birth mother

In 1839, he would write In 1839, he would write Tales of the Grotesque and ArabesqueTales of the Grotesque and Arabesque which which included one of his most popular short stories: included one of his most popular short stories: Fall of the House of Usher.Fall of the House of Usher.

From 1836 until his death Poe would continuously write short stories and From 1836 until his death Poe would continuously write short stories and poems that brought him little to minimal fame and money. They would poems that brought him little to minimal fame and money. They would include include The Black Cat, Masque of Red Death, The Cask of Amontillado, The Black Cat, Masque of Red Death, The Cask of Amontillado, Annabel LeeAnnabel Lee (It is assumed to be about his deceased wife Virginia), (It is assumed to be about his deceased wife Virginia), Murders in the Rue MorgueMurders in the Rue Morgue(It is said to be the first detective story) and (It is said to be the first detective story) and The The Raven.Raven.

The RavenThe Raven gave him instant recognition although he was paid only $9.00 gave him instant recognition although he was paid only $9.00 for the publication.for the publication.

On October 3, 1849 Poe was On October 3, 1849 Poe was found on the streets of Baltimore found on the streets of Baltimore delirious after many nights of delirious after many nights of alcohol binging.alcohol binging.

On Sunday October 7, 1849, after On Sunday October 7, 1849, after many days of delirious and lucid many days of delirious and lucid states of being, Edgar Allan Poe states of being, Edgar Allan Poe died.died.

This was due in part to his This was due in part to his intoxicating lifestyle and the cold intoxicating lifestyle and the cold winter weather of Baltimore.winter weather of Baltimore.

His last words were, “Lord help His last words were, “Lord help my poor soul!”my poor soul!”

However, the actual cause of However, the actual cause of death remains a mystery.death remains a mystery.

He was buried two days later He was buried two days later without an autopsy.without an autopsy.

Although Poe is best known for the genre of Gothic, he remains a colossal influence in contemporary society. His genre and work is widely used in music, art, film and literature.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_allan_poehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_allan_poe

http://knowingpoe.thinkport.org/default_flash.asphttp://knowingpoe.thinkport.org/default_flash.asp

Bloomfield, Shelley Costa (2007) The Everything Guide to Edgar Bloomfield, Shelley Costa (2007) The Everything Guide to Edgar Allan Poe. The life, times and work of a tormented genius. Avon, Allan Poe. The life, times and work of a tormented genius. Avon, MA F&W Publications ISBN-10: 1-59869-527-4MA F&W Publications ISBN-10: 1-59869-527-4