Summary:
The life and works of the man Edgar Allen Poe
Biography of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe, born January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. Son of Elizabeth Arnold Poe and David Poe. Poe's mother, an actress, born 1787, in England, died on December 8, 1811, Edgar was 2. He was brought to foster father John Allan, were Edgar was raised until February 14, 1826, when Poe attended the University of Virginia. He became an active member of the Jefferson Literary Society and passed every class. While attending school, Mr. Allan didn't give Poe enough money for supplies or class, which created debts. Mr. Allan kicked Poe out with no money. After that episode, Poe found himself back in Boston were he published a mini book of poetry, Tamerlane & Other Poems. May 26, 1827, Poe joined the U.S. Army as a private in the name of Edgar Allan Perry. After being in for two years, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant Major. Poe discharged from the Army and moved in with Maria Poe Clemm, his aunt in Baltimore. Poe, now 18, received small amounts of money from Mr. Allan, until Poe received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. In 1829, Poe released second book of poetry, and got himself dismissed from the academy on March 6, 1831. 22 year old Poe began writing prose tales. Five of them appeared in the Philadelphia Saturday Courier in 1832. Four years later Poe married his young cousin Virginia Clemm in Richmond on May 16, 1836. Poe lived in Philadelphia for six years with his wife. He was editor of Burton's Gentleman's Magazine from July 1839-June 1840. Poe was also editor for Graham's Magazine from April of 1841- May 1842. After realizing he could not afford to pay for everyone in his house (his wife, Virginia's mother, and Poe's aunt) Poe once again moved to New York were he found work on New York Evening Mirror. In 1845, the 36 years of Poe's life was about to pay off, Poe's "The Raven" was released and made him famous. In addition, that year he published Tales by Edgar Allan Poe and The Raven & Other Poems. One year later, Poe's life now blissful and cheery, is about to come crashing down. The book he published flunked, and to top it all off Poe loving wife and daring sibling Virginia Clemm, died January 30, 1847 after being married for eleven years. When she died, it seemed a huge part of Edgar died with her. Mainly, his sanity and delight, Poe turned to alcohol for love. Even if he drank a lot to a little, his personality always changed, to a deranged lunatic, seeking for answers. The date Sunday, October 7, 1849 will be remembered in history. The death of Edgar Allen was both tragic and a mystery. He always seemed like a quiet shy-handsome man, but inside, a monster, about to brake the barrier for writing to help what is now a legend. Edgar Allan Poe's Work
The Masque of the Red Death Published 1838
The Fall of the House of Usher Published 1839
The Murder in the Rue Morgue Published 1841
The Cask of Amontillado Published 1847
The Tell-Tale Heart Published 1843
The Raven Published 1842
Hop Frog Published
Resources
www.37.com (search Edgar Allan Poe) www.poemuseum.org
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