By Savannah, Brittany, and Santeri

Edgar Allan Poe 1809-1849

Early Life Edgar Allan Poe was born January 19,

1809, in Boston, where his mother, Elizabeth Arnold Poe had been employed as an actress. She died in Richmond on December 8, 1811, and Edgar was taken into the family of John Allan, a member of the firm of Ellis and Allan, tobacco-merchants.

Cont. He attended the University of Virginia He was later expelled. In 1827 Poe joined the U.S. Army as a common

soldier under an assumed name, Edgar A. Perry. He was sent to Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, which provided settings for 'The Gold Bug' (1843) and 'The Balloon Hoax' (1844). In 1830, Poe entered West Point. He was dishonorably discharged next year, for intentional neglect of his duties.

Cont. He then started a career as a staff member

of many magazines.

Literary Career After he entered the Army in 1827, he

published his first volume of poetry, “Tamerlane and Other Poems.”

Then, he published the second volume, “Al Aaraaf,” two years later.

He pursued a literary career in New York, Richmond, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.

Literacy Career After his third volume of poems was

released, it was very unsuccessful. It brought him no money or acclaim.

He then started to write fiction and literacy criticism.

Five short stories that he wrote were, in 1832, published in newspapers.

Cont. One of his short stories was, “The Fall of

the House of Usher.” Also, he wrote the poem, “The Raven.” In 1838, his first and only novel, “The

Narrative of Author Gordon Pym,” was published.

Not so Happily Ever After Even with the recognition he received from

his short stories and poems, he never was able to escape poverty.

He suffered from Depression. Then, when his wife, Virginia, died in 1849,

he soon passed away two years later. He died alone and unhappy in Baltimore.

A LEGACY

● Since his death (1849) his work has been magnet for attention.

● Especially his psychlogical thrillers have inspired many modern writers

Popularity

● Most of the critics didn't like his writings.They were too radical and ”weird” at that time.

● Annual ”Edgar” award is carrying his name.It's given by The Mystery Writers Of America for the ”Great achievement in Mystery Writing”

● Despite his status among critics, his work has been really popular for many generations

Most Famous Works

Poems

● The Raven

● A Dream Within A Dream

● The Bells

● Annabel Lee

● The City in the Sea

Novels

● The Murders in the Rue Morgue

● The Gold Bug

● The Fall of the House of Usher

● The Masque of the Red Death