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Everyone Loves a Horror Story

Masters of Horror

Stephen King is often compared to the 18th century weaver of horror tales, Edgar Allan Poe

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Poe’s LifeBest known for

poetry and short fiction pieces

Life span: 1809-1849

Created detective story and refined psychological thriller

World-wide influence on literature

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Poe’s Childhood

Parents: David Poe Elizabeth Atkins

Parents died before Poe was 3

Adopted by John Allan

Poe was baptized Edgar Allan Poehttp://www.poemuseum.org/

poes_life/index.html

Poe’s Young Adult Years

Poe quarreled with John Allan

Attended University of Virginia

Incurred gambling debts and left UV

Enlisted in US Armyhttp://www.jfhermant.com/logo_uva.gif

Trouble Follows Poe

After Allan died, Poe was discharged from Army

Poe was expelled from West Point

Throughout his troubles, Poe continued to writehttp://www.ava.org/clubs/

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Poe’s Romance Lived with Aunt,

Maria Clemm, and cousin Virginia

Dated Virginia and married her (13 year old cousin when he was 26)

Began writing for newspapers/magazines

Moved to Philadelphiahttp://www.epfl.net/exhibits/poe/poep004/poep004r.jpg

Poe’s Masterpieces Written

Poe published some of best known works:

The RavenThe Tell-Tale HeartThe Black CatThe Bells

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Death in Poe’s Life

Lost mother to “coughing sickness”/tuberculosis

Lost Virginia to “coughing sickness”/tuberculosis

Mystery of Poe’s DeathFound delirious in

Baltimore on October 3, "in great distress, and... in need of immediate assistance", according to the man who found him, Joseph W. Walker.

Found in someone else's clothing

Found on Election DayDied October 7

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Poe was never coherent long enough to explain how he came to be in his dire condition

Some sources say Poe's final words were "Lord help my poor soul."

All medical records, including his death certificate, have been lost. Newspapers at the time reported Poe's death as "congestion of the brain" or "cerebral inflammation", common euphemisms for deaths from disreputable causes such as alcoholism.

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The actual cause of death remains a mystery.