Background

Edgar Allen Poe was born in Boston on January 19, 1809. Poe's parents were traveling actors, however within three years of his birth both of his parents tragically died. Poe was then taken in by a wealthy tobacco merchant, John Allan who raised him as a business man. Unfortunately for John Allan, Poe had aspirations to become a poet like his idol Lord Byron. In 1826 Poe left Richmond to attent the University of Virginia where he accumulated a great amount of poverty. Allan had sent Poe off with only one third of the necessary money, and at this time Poe burned his own furniture to keep warm. Furious at Allan, Poe returned to Richmond to find that his fiancee was engaged to another man. Depressed, Poe left Richmond in search of adventure which he found once he joined the U.S. Army. Two years later Frances Allan, Poe's only mother he had ever known, sent for Poe to come to her. However, by the time Poe arrived she had been buried already. Poe briefly reconciled with John Allan and he agreed to send Poe to Westpoint. Eight months later Poe was thrown out due to renewed hostile relations with John Allan once more. Once again Poe was poor and returned to his later father's home in which he called out to his local relatives. He was taken in by his Aunt Maria Clemm who treated him as her son. By this time Poe had published several books and began writing short stories which were becoming widely recognized. Soon after, Poe gained a job at the Southern Literary Messanger as a magazine writer. Once Poe turned twenty seven, he wedded his cousin Virginia Clemm in Richmond when she was only 14. Stressing from his low paying job, Poe and his family moved to New York City during the Panic of 1837. Finding New York a difficult environment he moved to Philidelpiha where he served as an editor of several magazines. Poe led a happy, humble life until his wife was diagnosed with tuberculosis which had already claimed several other family members of his. After writing the Raven and gaining fame, Virginia died at the age of twenty four. Devastated, Poe did not write for many months. He spent the next two years of his life moving from city to city looking for support for his new magazine called The Stylus. Poe spent the last few days of his life away from family who learned of his death in the news paper. Poe died at the age of 40 on October 7, 1949. The cause of his death still remains a mystery, however even in death his legacy still lives on.

Works Cited:

Edgar Allan Poe Museum : Poe's Life, Legacy, and Works : Richmond, Virginia. Rep. Poe Museum, 2010. Web. 02 Dec. 2010. .

Picture of Edgar Allan Poe. Image. Listal - the Stuff You Love! Movesi, TV, Music, Games and Books. Web. 05 Dec. 2010 http://www.listal.com/viewimages/376280