Camryn Edwards

Ms. McKenzie

Advanced Literature

17 May 2017

The Life and Death of Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe was an American author and poet, who is famous for his bestselling books: The

Raven, Tell-Tale Heart, The Fall of the Usher, and The Cask of Amontillado. Poe was born on

January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts. He gave birth to the modern detective stories,

which earned him the nickname Father of the Detective Story (bio.com).

Edgar Allan Poes parents, David and Elizabeth Arnold Poe, were both actors and were married

in Richmond, Virginia, and had three children (poemusuem.org). Poes mother had died from

Tuberculosis on December 8, 1811; she was buried at St. Johns Episcopal Church

(poemuseum.org). After his mothers death, Edgar and his siblings were separated, and each

fostered by different relatives. Poe was raised by John and Frances Valentine Allan in

Richmond, VA (poemuseum.org). In 1826, Poe attended the University of Virginia.

In 1826, Poe left the University of Virginia, and headed to Boston, MA. In 1827, Poe published

his first book, Tamerlane and other poems (poemuseum.org). Each of his poems represented his

break with his Richmond family and how he came over it. A year later, Poe spent a few months

at the Military Academy at West Point Virginia. While publishing his short poems, Poe won first

prize in a literacy contest (poemuseum.org). On May 16, 1836, Poe married his young cousin,

Virginia in Richmond, VA.

In 1845, Poe moved to New York City in hopping to publish more of his books, and to earn a

little more money. While in New York, he published his first and bestselling book, The Raven
 (bio.com). The Raven is considered by far one the best books of his career. Poe continued to

write more award winning books such as: The Poetic Principle, The Rationale of Verse.

And even more thrilling tales like, The Cask of Amontillado (bio.com).

After the death of his wife, Virginia, dies in 1847, Poe was overcome of grief (bio.com). He

suffered from poor health and struggled financially. On October 7, 1849, Poe died from

congestion of the brain, while others believe he died of alcoholism (bio.com).

Today, Edgar Allan Poe is considered one of the best authors in America. His books are still one

of the best sellers in the U.S. Even though he had a rough childhood, Poe came from the bottom

and ended up at the top.

http://www.biography.com/people/edgar-allan-poe-9443160

http://www.poemuseum.org/poes-biography