EDGAR ALLEN POE

A biography

Master of Horror and…Father of the Detective Story

-Edgar Poe was born in Boston on January 19th, 1809.

-His parents, both actors, had many problems of their own.

-His father, an alcoholic, abandoned the family when Edgar was still a toddler, leaving his mom, who was dying of tuberculosis, pregnant with a third child.

The Early Years TB (tuberculosis) is a disease

that attacks the lungs. It is contagious and can be fatal.

When Edgar was 3, his beloved mother died of TB.

Mr. and Mrs. Allan of Richmond, Virginia, friends of the Poes, adopted Edgar.

While Mrs. Allan had always longed for a child, Mr. Allan saw Edgar as a nuisance or a bother.

Poe entered college at the University of Charlottesville. Since Mr. Allan did not provide Poe with enough money, Poe began to gamble for more. He quickly fell into debt and was sent home.

http://www.poemuseum.org/poes_life/poe_in_richmond.html

Poe’s Military CareerWhen Poe returned home, Mrs. Allan gave him money she had saved, and he used it to get to Boston, which was the place for those who dreamed of becoming writers.

Poe’s money ran out and he was forced to enlist in the army for income.

Military officers recommended that Poe be transferred to West Point, an elite military academy. Once at West Point, he went into debt, could not pay back the money he owed, broke rules and was dismissed from the academy.

Poe’s Family and Marriage While in the army, Poe’s

adopted mom died. Mr. Allan did notify him, but not in time to attend the funeral.

After leaving West Point, Edgar moved in with his Aunt Clemm, his natural father’s sister. His older brother lived there too, but soon died of TB. Poe was working for the editor of a magazine and things were looking up.

His Aunt Maria even gave permission to Edgar to marry her daughter, his cousin, Virginia. She was just 14 at the time. Poe was about 26.

http://knowingpoe.thinkport.org/person/amity.asp http://www.eapoe.org/balt/poehse.htm

Edgar’s Life – downhill, no brakes!

Edgar’s drinking problem caused him to lose his job and his little family wandered around, going from city to city. He lost every job he had because of his drinking and gambling habits.

Poe’s worst turn came when his beloved Virginia died a long, painful death. The same dreaded disease (TB) that killed his mother and brother also took the life of his wife.

WOE is POE!

Life after Virginia’s DeathVirginia’s death nearly killed Poe. He and Virginia had been very happy together and were very much in love. Friends noticed a huge change in Poe after Virginia’s death: deep depression, thoughts of suicide, his drinking worsened, and many suspected drug abuse. It was during this time, however, that much of his best work was written!

http://knowingpoe.thinkport.org/person/amity.asp http://www.bronxhistoricalsociety.org/about/poecottage.html

Poe’s Fame

It is interesting to mention that Poe was not given much attention or respect as a writer at all until after his death.

During his lifetime, writing did not make Poe a rich man. In fact, he lived most of his life as a very poor man struggling to make ends meet.

Poe’s DEATH

Poe was found unconscious on the steps of an abandoned hotel in the middle of the slums of Boston on October 3. 1849. Apparently he had drank and drugged himself into a deadly stupor. He never regained consciousness. He died at the age of 40 on October 7, 1849.

http://www.poemuseum.org/poes_life/death_myths.html

Read about his death theories!

Some of Poe’s Work: The Fall of the House of Usher The Tell Tale Heart The Black Cat Annabel Lee The Raven The Businessman The Pit and The Pendulum

http://www.poemuseum.org/selected_works/red_death.html

http://www.poemuseum.org/poes_life/timeline.html

See a timeline of Poe’s life

http://www.poemuseum.org/educational_resources/for_students.html

Take the online quiz!

For Monday: Syllabus due Questionnaire about you due Read “Tell Tale Heart” (go to Copp’s website) Do a plot chart for “Tell Tale Heart” (we will go

through together on Monday to check it) Don’t work on “The Raven” this weekend