Edgar Allan Poe
The Mysterious Poet
His Childhood
Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 19, 1809. Poe's father left the family soon after Poe was born and his mother died before he turned three. After Poe was orphaned he was taken in by his god father John Allan in Richmond Virginia.
His Education
Poe was educated in England. After returning from England Poe attended the newly opened University of Virginia. Poe didn't have much money, even though his godfather payed for him to attend college. Poe used Allan's money for gambling and was eventually kicked out of the University of Virginia after only a year. Poe won a spot in West Point, a military academy in 1830. Poe excelled in his classes, but was kicked out a year later for his poor handling of his duties. During his time at West Point Poe fought with his foster father and Allan decided to sever ties with Poe.
After getting kicked out of the University of Virginia Poe was enlisted into the army for two years. He also married his young cousin Virginia Clemm in 1835. Virginia Clemm died in 1847 from tuberculosis, she was about twenty. The two had been married for 12 years.
His career
After leaving West Point Edgar Allan Poe focused on writing full time. Poe wrote his first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems in 1827. was an editor for the Southern Literary Magazine from 1835 till 1837. Alcohol played a role in Poe's departure from the magazine according to some reports. Poe briefly worked for Burton's Gentleman's Magazine and The Broadway Journal.
His death
After Virginia's death Poe's struggle with alcoholism and depression worsened. He briefly returned to Richmond in 1849 then set out for Philadelphia for an editing job 1849 after visiting Allan. For unknown reasons Poe stopped in Baltimore on the way. On October 3rd 1849 Poe was found semi-conscious and died four days later of "acute congestion of the brain." The case of Poe's death was reopened and evidence by medical practitioners had shown that Poe may have been suffering fro rabies.