Edgar Allan Poe is perhaps the world’s most well known gothic writer. Poe questioned all aspects of death describing everything in great detail. Like many other gothic writers, Poe’s work could also classified as dark romanticism. Although Poe is most famous for his darker writings he also wrote humorous tales and hoaxes. Poe once wrote “Works with obvious
meanings cease to be art.” His stories influenced the work of other great writers such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jules Verne, and H.G. Wells.
Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 19th, 1809 as Edgar Poe. The “Allan” in his name was added by the family who took him in 1811 when his mother died from tuberculosis. The year before his mother’s death Poe’s father abandoned the family. John and Frances Allan never officially adopted him. Poe and his foster father always had a strained relationship. Poe began his college education at the University of Virginia in 1826. Poe and Allan cut ties when Poe claimed that Allan did not give him enough financial support, Allan had sent more money and supplies when requested, but Poe’s debt only increased. A year later Poe dropped out of college and returned to Boston for a month working as a clerk and newspaper writer, then he joined the Army under a false name and age. He enlisted under the name Edgar A. Perry and signed documents stating he was 22 years old, he was only 18. Poe was enlisted to serve for five years; however he was dismissed a year early. Poe’s dismissal was only possible because he confided in his commanding officer
giving his real name and telling his past troubles. Lieutenant Howard agreed to the dismissal as long as Poe made amends with Allan. Several months and attempts later Allan finally made up with Poe, but only after Frances had passed away. During his time with the Army Poe published Tamerlane and other Poems. After all of this transpired, Poe was admitted into West Point Academy. Before Poe Arrived at West Point, he published Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems. A few short years later Allan disowned Poe to save his second marriage. Following the fall out with his foster father, Poe got himself court martialed on purpose and was dismissed. After the dismissal Poe published his third collection titled
Second Edition, which included Tamerlane and Al Aaraaf, as well as six previously unpublished poems. Poe then chose to focus on his short stories. He was awarded a prize for MS. Found in a Bottle.
In September of 1835 Poe secretly married his 13 year old cousin Virginia. In the same year he published The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket followed by Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque. The second of these two publications came out in two volumes, made Poe very little, and received mixed views and critiques. In 1940 Poe announced plans to start his own literary journal, but this dream did not reach fruition before his death in 1949. In January of 1842 Virginia became ill with tuberculosis and Poe’s drinking habits grew worse. The Raven, Poe’s most famous work, was published two years after Virginia fell ill, Poe received only $9 for it. Virginia died almost exactly two years after The Raven was published. Poe had lost a lot of women in his life; it is thought that the reoccurring “death of a young and beautiful woman” throughout his works represented the women he lost, including Virginia.
Early in October of 1949 Poe was found delirious and wearing clothing that did not belong to him, wondering the streets of Baltimore; he died four days later. The night before his death he repeated the name “Reynolds.” The cause of death is a mystery, although it is widely believed to be attributed to his drinking.
meanings cease to be art.” His stories influenced the work of other great writers such as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jules Verne, and H.G. Wells.
Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 19th, 1809 as Edgar Poe. The “Allan” in his name was added by the family who took him in 1811 when his mother died from tuberculosis. The year before his mother’s death Poe’s father abandoned the family. John and Frances Allan never officially adopted him. Poe and his foster father always had a strained relationship. Poe began his college education at the University of Virginia in 1826. Poe and Allan cut ties when Poe claimed that Allan did not give him enough financial support, Allan had sent more money and supplies when requested, but Poe’s debt only increased. A year later Poe dropped out of college and returned to Boston for a month working as a clerk and newspaper writer, then he joined the Army under a false name and age. He enlisted under the name Edgar A. Perry and signed documents stating he was 22 years old, he was only 18. Poe was enlisted to serve for five years; however he was dismissed a year early. Poe’s dismissal was only possible because he confided in his commanding officer
giving his real name and telling his past troubles. Lieutenant Howard agreed to the dismissal as long as Poe made amends with Allan. Several months and attempts later Allan finally made up with Poe, but only after Frances had passed away. During his time with the Army Poe published Tamerlane and other Poems. After all of this transpired, Poe was admitted into West Point Academy. Before Poe Arrived at West Point, he published Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems. A few short years later Allan disowned Poe to save his second marriage. Following the fall out with his foster father, Poe got himself court martialed on purpose and was dismissed. After the dismissal Poe published his third collection titled
Second Edition, which included Tamerlane and Al Aaraaf, as well as six previously unpublished poems. Poe then chose to focus on his short stories. He was awarded a prize for MS. Found in a Bottle.
In September of 1835 Poe secretly married his 13 year old cousin Virginia. In the same year he published The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket followed by Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque. The second of these two publications came out in two volumes, made Poe very little, and received mixed views and critiques. In 1940 Poe announced plans to start his own literary journal, but this dream did not reach fruition before his death in 1949. In January of 1842 Virginia became ill with tuberculosis and Poe’s drinking habits grew worse. The Raven, Poe’s most famous work, was published two years after Virginia fell ill, Poe received only $9 for it. Virginia died almost exactly two years after The Raven was published. Poe had lost a lot of women in his life; it is thought that the reoccurring “death of a young and beautiful woman” throughout his works represented the women he lost, including Virginia.
Early in October of 1949 Poe was found delirious and wearing clothing that did not belong to him, wondering the streets of Baltimore; he died four days later. The night before his death he repeated the name “Reynolds.” The cause of death is a mystery, although it is widely believed to be attributed to his drinking.