Biography Of Edgar Allen Poe Essay Research

Biography Of Edgar Allen Poe Essay, Research Paper

Biography of Edgar Allen Poe

Edgar Allen Poe was one of the most successful writers of all time. He

is known for his tales of the mysterious and macabre. He is reported to be the

first master of the short story form (Edgar Allen Poe). About 12 of his works

are known for their flawless literary construction. Poe had a rough childhood

which definitely contributed to his writing.

Poe was born in January 19th of 1809 in Boston. Poe was the son of

David Poe, an actor and Eliza Poe, an actress. Poe also had a sister. At age

three Poe was orphaned when he father disappeared one night and never returned

and his mother died of tuberculosis. Poe then went to a foster house where he

was adopted by John and Fanny Allen. Poe then at age six moved to England where

he attended private schools.

As a teen Poe was very gifted in foreign language. He wrote some of his

early works in both French an Latin. At age fifteen Poe had already written

enough works to publish a book but John would not allow it. Poe was also very

fit as a teen. Poe was supposedly a very fast swimmer and runner. It is

reported that Poe once as a teen swam the James river from Lundhams Wharf to

Warwick Bar which is six miles against a strong current (Woodberry 20). At 15

Poe was the Lieutenant of the Junior Morgan Riflemen. Poe was then reviewed by

the famous Marquis De Lafayette. Poe’s grandfather General Poe is where Poe

most likely got his military influence from.

In 1826 Poe enrolled into the University of Virginia. Poe wanted to

become a translator. Poe was considered to be “precisely correct” (Moldavia).

Poe also loved debating. The student life at the University of Virginia in 1826

was very chaotic. In one student riot the students threw bottles and bricks at

the professors. In Poe’s letters to John Allen he often talked of violence on

campus. He once wrote of how a student was struck on the head with a stone and

then pulled out a gun and killed his attacker(Moldavia).

By the end of the year Poe had started to develop gambling debts. Poe

blamed his gambling debts on John Allen saying that he did not provide enough

for him to live on. Therefore gambling was the only way to survive. I think

that it would have bean quite possible for Poe to get a job. Before the year

was over Poe had developed gambling debts exceeding 2,500 dollars (Moldavia).

When Poe went back to Richmond where John lived for the summer he

expected John to pay of his debts. John would not pay of the debts and made

John work as a clerk at his firm to pay them off. In 1827 Poe moved out of

Johns house. In a letter to John Poe wrote, “I have heard you say when you

little thought I was listening and therefor must have said it in ear that you

had no affection for me” (letters 203). Poe then resorted to gambling again and

became even more into debt. Poe then moved to Boston under the alias of Henri

Le Renett (Moldavia). Poe then managed to published his first book Tamerline

and Other Poems under the pen name of a Bostonian.

Later in 1827 Poe enlisted into the United States Army where he stayed

for two years. In 1829 Poe wrote his second book Aarat, Tamberline, and Other

Poems by Edgar A. Poe. After Poe left the Army Poe reconciled with Poe’s father

and convinced John to send Poe to West Point Military Academy. Poe only stayed

at Westpoint for a year a which he was dismissed for neglect of duties. John

then disowned Poe forever.

In 1831 Poe moved back to Baltimore to live with his cousin and aunt.

In 1831 Poe also wrote his third book Poems by Edgar A. Poe with financial help

from his friends at Westpoint. In 1832 Poe won a contest with “AMS found in a

bottle”. Then in 1836 Poe married his cousin Virginia Clem whom Poe had bean

living with. Virginia was only thirteen when Poe married Virginia. Shortly

after Poe had married Virginia she contracted the deadly disease tuberculosis.

Virginia then died ten years later.

With the death of Poe’s wife Poe became very depressed. Poe then became

addicted to many drugs, mainly opium and laudanum. It is also reported that he

used morphine (Mankowitz 259,729). It is said that Poe used these drugs and

drank so much because his nervous system was becoming extremely sensitive and it

would rid him of the pain (Black). Poe did try to quit drinking many times but

he was never successful. In a letter on July 22,1848 Poe wrote, “It has bean a

long while since any artificial stimulus has passed my lips” (Letters 239).

Poe also to go mad. Poe’s madness was mainly credited to brain lesions

or scars in the brain. A good example of Poe breaking down is when he arrived

at John Sartains office begging him for protection from an imaginary Army. Poe

then shaved of his mustache so that they would not recognize him (Mankowitz 232).

Poe describes his il

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