Edgar Allan Poe
Born Leads a very tragic life
-Born in Baltimore, VA -Parents were actors -Father leaves family -Mother dies year later Age 2: Foster Kid
Poe moves in with wealthy the Allan family, but they don’t take his brother & sister.
Poe’s brother dies 1 year later His sister goes insane Poe never fits in with the wealthy Allans
Age 5: Poe begins writing
Age 17: After years of fighting with the Allans, Poe goes to away to the University of Virginia…
…but he gets kicked out for: A. Heavy gambling debts B. Excessive drinking C. Not attending class D. All of the above
Age 18:Poe’s Engaged Good News!
Her name is Elmira. She says yes after years of ignoring him…
… but her parents break off the engagement.
Poe is accepted to the prestigious military school, West Point… and he’s kicked out.
Age 19: Poe begins publishing poems
Age 27: Poe moves in with some relatives… and finds a wife.
He marries his 13 year old cousin, Virginia. After a stint in the army (thrown out for drinking), Poe is a full time writer.
This is the happiest time in Poe’s life: He’s writing He’s getting paid He’s only been fired 2x He’s in love
Age 33: Virginia is very ill: tuberculosis Poe starts drinking heavily He writes “The Raven”
“The Raven:” a man’s depression over the death of a loved one drives him mad
Age 39: Virginia dies He drinks, gambles, & losses all his money
Deterioration: Poe never recovers from the death of Virginia Drinks more than ever Becomes re-engaged to Elmira
Death 1849: Oct. 3 RD : Found distressed / wild / drunk / wearing someone else’s clothes in the streets of Baltimore Oct. 7 th : Dies of brain swelling / alcoholism
Funeral: 1849: Attended by 7 people Oct. 11 th, 2009: Baltimore tries again
Funeral:
Gomez from the Addams Family