EDGAR ALLAN POE1809-1849

Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 19, 1809, to the actor David Poe Jr. and the actress Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe.

In 1810, Poe’s father abandoned the family, and a year later his mother died from pulmonary

tuberculosis. Poe was taken in by John Allan, a merchant  in Richmond Virginia who traded in

tobacco, cloth, slaves, and tombstones

He attended the University of Virginia in February 1826, but before he did he became engaged to Sarah

Elmira Royster. While Poe was attending the university he became separated from Sara and also

became alienated from his father over gambling debts.

He soon discovered that Sarah had left him and married a man named Alexander Shelton.

Poe enlisted in the Army on May, 27 1827 under the name Edgar A. Perry. That same year, Poe published his first book called "Tamerlane and Other Poems",

only 50 copies printed and received almost no attention. Two years later, Poe’s step mother passed

away.

Published: 1829

El Dorado

Published: 1848

El Dorado Gaily bedight,A gallant nightIn sunshine and in shadow,Had journeyed long,Singing a song,In search of El Dorado.

But he grew old --This knight so bold --And -- o'er his heart a shadowFell as he foundNo spot of groundThat looked like El Dorado.

And, as his strengthFailed him at length,He met a pilgrim shadow --"Shadow," said he,"Where can it be --This land of El Dorado?"

"Over the MountainsOf the Moon,Down the Valley of the Shadow,Ride, boldly ride,"The shade replied --"If you seek for El Dorado."