All About Edgar Allen Poe
"Lord help my poor soul"
-Edgar's final words-
-Edgar's final words-
Edgar Allen Poe was born as Edgar Poe on January 19, 1809 to travelling actors. He had 2 siblings, an elder brother, and a younger sister. When Edgar was just 2 years old, his father left the family and his mother died of tuberculosis (TB) a year later. Edgar, now an orphan, is taken in by John Allen and his family. His brother was sent to live with grandparents and his sister was sent to live with another family. John Allen was not a very loving father to Edgar, the only person who showed Edgar any love was his step mom who later died of TB just like his biological mother.
In 1826, Edgar went off to the University of Virginia where he aced his classes but built up a lot of debt because his stepfather only gave him a small portion of what Edgar needed for college. So to raise the funds needed, he turned to gambling. Edgar was so poor that he had to burn his room's furniture for warmth. Because of his poverty and his anger towards John Allen, Edgar went back to the Allen's in Richmond where he found his fiancee with another man. Heartbroken, tensions between John and Edgar became high again and Edgar set off to find new adventure and to become a great poet. He accomplished both goals when he joined the army and published his first book, Tamerlane.
Now without a home and money, Edgar went to Baltimore and called upon relatives there. After getting robbed by one cousin, he was taken in by his aunt Maria Clemm and her daughter Virginia. While there, he fell in love with Virginia and the two secretly married. They were happy together before Virginia died 10 years later at the hands of TB.
Heartbroken, Edgar moves between numerous woman until he becomes reengaged to Sarah Elmira Royster, his first fiancee. 5 days after this, Pie is found almost dead at a bar in Baltimore. He is then transported to a hospital where he dries without any of his family there. Edgar Allen Pie died on October 7, 1849 at the age of 40. His fiancee and aunt only heard about his death later in the newspapers. He was best known for his short morbid stories.
In 1826, Edgar went off to the University of Virginia where he aced his classes but built up a lot of debt because his stepfather only gave him a small portion of what Edgar needed for college. So to raise the funds needed, he turned to gambling. Edgar was so poor that he had to burn his room's furniture for warmth. Because of his poverty and his anger towards John Allen, Edgar went back to the Allen's in Richmond where he found his fiancee with another man. Heartbroken, tensions between John and Edgar became high again and Edgar set off to find new adventure and to become a great poet. He accomplished both goals when he joined the army and published his first book, Tamerlane.
Now without a home and money, Edgar went to Baltimore and called upon relatives there. After getting robbed by one cousin, he was taken in by his aunt Maria Clemm and her daughter Virginia. While there, he fell in love with Virginia and the two secretly married. They were happy together before Virginia died 10 years later at the hands of TB.
Heartbroken, Edgar moves between numerous woman until he becomes reengaged to Sarah Elmira Royster, his first fiancee. 5 days after this, Pie is found almost dead at a bar in Baltimore. He is then transported to a hospital where he dries without any of his family there. Edgar Allen Pie died on October 7, 1849 at the age of 40. His fiancee and aunt only heard about his death later in the newspapers. He was best known for his short morbid stories.
Famous Works
- Tamerlane published in 1827
- Annebel Lee, Published in 1849, the death of his wife virginia clemm inspired this
- The raven, published in 1845, inspired by the death of close family members/wife
- THe fall of the house of usher, published in 1839
- the tell-tale heart, published in 1843
- Masaque of the red death, published in 1842. this story was inspired by all of his close friends/family dying of Tuberculosis.