Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe

by Amanda Robertsby Amanda Roberts

The Life of Edgar Allan PoeThe Life of Edgar Allan Poe

Born in Boston in 1809 to Elizabeth Born in Boston in 1809 to Elizabeth Arnold Poe and David Poe.Arnold Poe and David Poe.

Both of his parents were actors, Both of his parents were actors, however, his mother was considered however, his mother was considered the better of the two.the better of the two.

David Poe abandoned his family David Poe abandoned his family while Poe was just a young boy.while Poe was just a young boy.

Poe was orphaned, along with his Poe was orphaned, along with his older brother and infant sister in older brother and infant sister in 1811. His mother died of tuberculosis 1811. His mother died of tuberculosis in Richmond, Virginia.in Richmond, Virginia.

Poe’s mother, Elizabeth, died Poe’s mother, Elizabeth, died

December 8, 1811, in December 8, 1811, in Richmond, Richmond, Virginia.Virginia.

The three children were separated The three children were separated and raised by different families.and raised by different families.

Poe was taken by John and Frances Poe was taken by John and Frances Allan.Allan.

John Allan was a successful merchant.John Allan was a successful merchant.

John and Francis Allan, Edgar’s foster parentsJohn and Francis Allan, Edgar’s foster parents

The Allans raised Poe but never The Allans raised Poe but never formally adopted him.formally adopted him.

Poe attended the University of Poe attended the University of Virgina and did very well in Latin and Virgina and did very well in Latin and French. However, John Allan refused French. However, John Allan refused to pay Poe’s gambling debts, and to pay Poe’s gambling debts, and Edgar Allan Poe had to drop out of Edgar Allan Poe had to drop out of college.college.

Due to fights with his foster-father, Due to fights with his foster-father, Poe went to Boston. While there, he Poe went to Boston. While there, he wrote a book of poetry, wrote a book of poetry, Tamerlane Tamerlane and Other Poems.and Other Poems.

In an attempt to support himself, Poe In an attempt to support himself, Poe enlisted in the Army.enlisted in the Army.

In 1829, Frances Allan died of In 1829, Frances Allan died of tuberculosis. John Allan and Poe tuberculosis. John Allan and Poe briefly reconciled their differences.briefly reconciled their differences.

John Allan helped Poe receive an John Allan helped Poe receive an appointment at the U.S. Military appointment at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point.Academy in West Point.

Poe realized that literature, not the Poe realized that literature, not the military, was his true “calling” and military, was his true “calling” and tried to get out of West Point. tried to get out of West Point.

John Allan refused to give Poe John Allan refused to give Poe permission to resign (drop-out). permission to resign (drop-out).

Poe was court-martialed for refusing Poe was court-martialed for refusing to report for class or duty.to report for class or duty.

Poe moved to Baltimore, where he Poe moved to Baltimore, where he lived with his very poor aunt, Maria lived with his very poor aunt, Maria Poe Clemm and her young daughter, Poe Clemm and her young daughter, Virginia.Virginia.

Maria Poe ClemmMaria Poe Clemm

Virginia Clemm PoeVirginia Clemm Poe

In 1833, he wrote, In 1833, he wrote, “Ms. Found in a “Ms. Found in a Bottle.”Bottle.” It lead to a job offer as an It lead to a job offer as an editor for a magazine in Richmond, editor for a magazine in Richmond, Virginia.Virginia.

In 1835, he accepted the position of In 1835, he accepted the position of editor and married his thirteen year editor and married his thirteen year old cousin, Virginia.old cousin, Virginia.

In 1838, Poe moved his family to In 1838, Poe moved his family to Philadelphia where he worked as an Philadelphia where he worked as an editor for editor for Graham’s MagazineGraham’s Magazine. He . He wrote some of his most famous wrote some of his most famous stories: stories: “Fall of the House of Usher,” “Fall of the House of Usher,” “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The Gold-Bug”Gold-Bug” and others. and others.

In 1842, Virginia became ill with In 1842, Virginia became ill with tuberculosis.tuberculosis.

In 1845, “The Raven” was publishedIn 1845, “The Raven” was published In 1847, Virginia died In 1847, Virginia died

of tuberculosis.of tuberculosis.For the next two years, Poe continued For the next two years, Poe continued

to write poetry and short stories.to write poetry and short stories.On October 7, 1849, while in On October 7, 1849, while in

Baltimore, Poe died at the age of 40. Baltimore, Poe died at the age of 40. There are many mysteries concerning There are many mysteries concerning Poe’s death. It has been attributed to Poe’s death. It has been attributed to “acute congestion of the brain” to “acute congestion of the brain” to drug and alcohol overdoses.drug and alcohol overdoses.

Works CitedWorks Cited

Microsoft Office Online for sound Microsoft Office Online for sound clips and clipart.clips and clipart.

TeachersFirst- Interactive Raven TeachersFirst- Interactive Raven http://www.teachersfirst.com/share/raven/http://www.teachersfirst.com/share/raven/ for clip art of the ravenfor clip art of the raven

All information and pictures from various All information and pictures from various websites linked to the following website websites linked to the following website http://www.webenglishteacher.com/poe.hthttp://www.webenglishteacher.com/poe.htmlml