American short-story writer, poet, critic, and editor

Born January 19, 1809 in Boston, MA Never really knew his parents; father left the family early on, and his mother passed away when he was only three Lived with John and Frances Allan, a successful tobacco merchant and his wife, in Richmond, Virginia Money was an issue

Wrote first book then joined army but was kicked out for “poor handling of duties” Focused on writing full-time Stayed in Baltimore with his aunt Maria Clemm and her daughter Virginia, who became a literary inspiration to Poe as well as his love interest Married in 1836 when she was about 13 Worked for a magazine called the Southern Literary Messenger; known as a cut-throat critic

Published "The Raven” unknown narrator laments the demise of his great love Lenore; deals with death and loss…. Ring a bell? Narrative poem: setting, characters, dialogue, conflict and resolution Uses several allusions to Bible and Greek mythology Has an issue with Longfellow; claimed he was a plagiarist; Longfellow strikes back with criticism Gained reputation as a sarcastic critic

Grief-stricken after the death of his beloved Virginia in 1847; suffered from poor health and struggled financially Final days remain somewhat of a mystery… Left Richmond on September 27, 1849, and was supposedly on his way to Philadelphia; on October 3, was found in Baltimore in great distress; was taken to Washington College Hospital where he died on October 7. His last words were "Lord, help my poor soul." At the time, it was said that Poe died of "congestion of the brain" But his actual COD is speculated; alcoholism, rabies, epilepsy, carbon monoxide poisoning are just some of the conditions thought to have led to the great writer's death. Obituary criticized Poe, portraying him as a womanizer and drunkard