EDGAR ALLAN POE --- Biography

1. January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849 EDGAR ALLAN POE --- Biography

2. Edgar Allan Poe • American poet, short story writer, literary critic, and editor • Known for his tales of mystery and stories about the strange • Considered to be the inventor of the detective-fiction genre

3. Edgar Poe’s Childhood • Born in Boston, Massachusetts • Father left, Mother died of Tuberculosis when Poe was 2

4. New Found Family • Taken in by John and Frances Allan • Moved to Richmond, Virginia

5. Young Adult Years • Poe attended the University of Virginia. • UVA was in its first years and was chaotic. • Strict rules about gambling • Poe dropped out because of gambling habits.

6. Poe in the Military • Poe enlisted in the military in 1827 • Joined the Army • Served at Fort Independence in Boston for $5 a month • 1829 – Poe was discharged from the military and went to West Point Military Academy • 1831 – Poe was discharged from West Point • He later started his publishing career

7. Other Jobs • Publisher • Literary Critic • Editor

8. Love and Marriage • Poe was married in Baltimore in 1835. • He married Virginia Clemm • She was 13 years old; He was 26 • She was also his first cousin

9. Poe becomes a widow • Virginia died in 1847, two years after “The Raven” was published • She also died of tuberculosis • She was 25 years old

10. Poe’s Death: A Mystery • On October 7, 1849 Poe died in Baltimore, MD • He was 40 years old

11. What caused his death? • No one knows the actual reason that Poe died. He was found incoherent on a Baltimore street. Two days later, he died. • Some theories include: • Alcohol • Brain Congestion (swelling) • Cholera • Drugs • Heart Disease • Rabies • Suicide • Tuberculosis