EDGAR ALLAN POE Author Study

A LIFE OF TRAGEDY AND MYSTERY Born Edgar Poe Born Edgar Poe Boston, January 19, 1809 Boston, January 19, 1809 Son and second child of traveling actors Son and second child of traveling actors He had a sister named Rosalie He had a sister named Rosalie Dad abandoned the family when Poe was just a year old Dad abandoned the family when Poe was just a year old Mom died at the early age of 24 – Poe was two Mom died at the early age of 24 – Poe was two He and his sister were taken in by the Allans (Frances and John) He and his sister were taken in by the Allans (Frances and John) They adopt Rosalie, but not Edgar They adopt Rosalie, but not Edgar

POE TAKES THE ALLAN NAME Even though he isn’t adopted, Poe is raised by the Allan’s Even though he isn’t adopted, Poe is raised by the Allan’s Wealthy, gentlemanly upbringing Wealthy, gentlemanly upbringing At 17, Poe goes to college At 17, Poe goes to college University of Virginia University of Virginia Fights with John Allan over money and runs away after 1 term Fights with John Allan over money and runs away after 1 term Ends up in Boston and publishes his first book Ends up in Boston and publishes his first book Poetry Poetry Doesn’t make money from it Doesn’t make money from it To keep from starving, Poe enlists in US Army To keep from starving, Poe enlists in US Army 18 months at Fort Independence in Boston 18 months at Fort Independence in Boston

FOSTER MOTHER DIES John and Edgar try to reconcile John and Edgar try to reconcile John agrees to send Poe to US Military Academy in West Point, NY John agrees to send Poe to US Military Academy in West Point, NY Eventually John disowns Poe – they couldn’t get along Eventually John disowns Poe – they couldn’t get along Poe visits his father’s family in Baltimore Poe visits his father’s family in Baltimore Meets his aunt – Maria Clemm and her daughter Meets his aunt – Maria Clemm and her daughter Virginia! Virginia! Maria mothers him – loves him Maria mothers him – loves him At West Point, Poe is unhappy At West Point, Poe is unhappy Does fine in his studies Does fine in his studies Resorts to alcohol Resorts to alcohol Misses his new family too much Misses his new family too much

POE PURSUES WRITING After 8 months at West Point, Poe leaves After 8 months at West Point, Poe leaves Returns to Baltimore and Maria Clemm Returns to Baltimore and Maria Clemm Poverty stricken widow Poverty stricken widow 1833 wins $50 for his story “Ms. Found in a Bottle” 1833 wins $50 for his story “Ms. Found in a Bottle” Works for leading literary magazines Works for leading literary magazines Not a lot of money Not a lot of money Stories, poetry, reviews Stories, poetry, reviews 1836 he marries Virginia – she is only he marries Virginia – she is only 13 While unconventional, it was a happy union While unconventional, it was a happy union

VIRGINIA DIES Pulmonary tuberculosis – 1847 (she is sick for about 5 years) Pulmonary tuberculosis – 1847 (she is sick for about 5 years) Poe is devastated Poe is devastated Tries to rally and traveled to literary centers in his last year of life Tries to rally and traveled to literary centers in his last year of life Gives readings and lectures Gives readings and lectures New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond “Literature is the most noble of professions. In fact, it is about the only one fit for a man.” “Literature is the most noble of professions. In fact, it is about the only one fit for a man.”

POE DIES IN 1849 He is only 40 He is only 40 Very mysterious and tragic death Very mysterious and tragic death He is found semi-conscious He is found semi-conscious Wandering in Baltimore Wandering in Baltimore Died of what they called “congestion of the brain” Died of what they called “congestion of the brain” Theories about what he died of are still debated today Theories about what he died of are still debated today