2. The Beginning Born January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the second child born to traveling actors. Poe’s father abandoned them shortly after his birth and his mother died of tuberculosis a year afterwards. He was taken in by John Allan, a successful merchant and his wife. They would give him the name “Edgar Allan Poe”. In spite of this, he would never be legally adopted by them.

3. By May 27, 1827, Poe enlisted in the U.S. Army as private because he was unable to support himself. From this experience he would later get the idea for The Cask of Amontillado. On February 8, 1831 he was court- martialed for neglecting his duties and disobedience of orders. After his elder brother’s death in August 1831, he chose to start a career as a writer. By some accounts, he is the first well-known American writer to try and make a living on writing alone!

4. In October 1833, after receiving a writing award from a Baltimore paper, Poe became assistant editor for the Southern Literary Messenger. In October 1833, after receiving a writing award from a Baltimore paper, Poe became assistant editor for the Southern 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 1835. She died in January 1842 due to tuberculosis. The same ailment that killed Poe’s birth mother 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 killed Poe’s birth mother In 1839, he would write Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque which included one of his most popular short stories: Fall of the House of Usher. In 1839, he would write Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque which included one of his most popular short stories: Fall of the House of Usher. From 1836 until his death Poe would continuously write short stories and poems that brought him little to minimal fame and money. They would include The Black Cat, Masque of Red Death, The Cask of Amontillado, Annabel Lee (It is assumed to be about his deceased wife Virginia), Murders in the Rue Morgue(It is said to be the first detective story) and The Raven. From 1836 until his death Poe would continuously write short stories and poems that brought him little to minimal fame and money. They would include The Black Cat, Masque of Red Death, The Cask of Amontillado, Annabel Lee (It is assumed to be about his deceased wife Virginia), Murders in the Rue Morgue(It is said to be the first detective story) and The Raven. The Raven gave him instant recognition although he was paid only $9.00 for the publication. The Raven gave him instant recognition although he was paid only $9.00 for the publication.

5. On October 3, 1849 Poe was found on the streets of Baltimore delirious after many nights of alcohol binging. On October 3, 1849 Poe was found on the streets of Baltimore delirious after many nights of alcohol binging. On Sunday October 7, 1849, after many days of delirious and lucid states of being, Edgar Allan Poe died. On Sunday October 7, 1849, after many days of delirious and lucid states of being, Edgar Allan Poe died. This was due in part to his intoxicating lifestyle and the cold winter weather of Baltimore. This was due in part to his intoxicating lifestyle and the cold winter weather of Baltimore. His last words were, “Lord help my poor soul!” His last words were, “Lord help my poor soul!” However, the actual cause of death remains a mystery. However, the actual cause of death remains a mystery. He was buried two days later without an autopsy. He was buried two days later without an autopsy.

6. 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.

7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_allan_poe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_allan_poe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_allan_poe http://knowingpoe.thinkport.org/default_flash.asp http://knowingpoe.thinkport.org/default_flash.asp http://knowingpoe.thinkport.org/default_flash.asp Bloomfield, Shelley Costa (2007) The Everything Guide to Edgar Allan Poe. The life, times and work of a tormented genius. Avon, MA F&W Publications ISBN-10: 1-59869-527-4 Bloomfield, Shelley Costa (2007) The Everything Guide to Edgar Allan Poe. The life, times and work of a tormented genius. Avon, MA F&W Publications ISBN-10: 1-59869-527-4