Biography of Edgar Allan Poe

The biography of Edgar Allan Poe is a sad tale. Orphaned at a young age, widowed at a young age, prone to drinking and often short on money, Poe endured a difficult life. Poe was a talented poet, editor, critic and short story author. Though he became famous during his life, it wasn't until after his death that he received true critical acclaim.

Early Life
Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, Mass., on Jan. 19, 1809 to Elizabeth and David Poe. The actress and actor couple separated in 1810, leaving Poe's mother to care for him, his older brother and his younger sister. Poe's mother died in 1811 and it's believed his father passed away in the same year. He was taken in by John Allan and his wife, Frances.

Education
Poe received a classical education in England and Scotland from 1815 to 1820. In 1826, Poe enrolled at the University of Virginia. He attended the university for close to a year before his outrageous gambling debts angered John Allan, his guardian, into calling Poe home. Though he traveled to Boston and published a pamphlet of poems, poverty forced Poe to join the US Army in 1827 as Edgar Perry.

In 1829 Poe's foster mother died and his foster father, John Allan, helped Poe obtain release from the Army. Allan also helped Poe obtain a student appointment for the US Military Academy at West Point. Though not his most prolific period, Poe continued to write and publish work during this time.

Adulthood
By 1831, Poe wanted out of West Point and refused to go to class or church. He was sent to a court marshal hearing and was expelled. Poe traveled to Baltimore to write and ended up in Richmond, Virginia in 1835 to work as editor of Southern Literary Messenger. In 1836 Poe married his 13 year old cousin, Virginia. In 1837 he lost his job as editor due to alcohol issues.

Poe moved to Philadelphia in 1838 and worked as editor for several publications. He also published several poems and short stories during this time. In 1841 Poe published his dark tale, The Murders in the Rue Morgue in a periodical magazine. The tale is now considered the one of the best Edgar Allan Poe short stories ever published. Poe moved to New York in 1844 and worked as a subeditor while continuing to publish poetry and short stories.

Later Life
Poe published his most famous poem, The Raven, in 1845 to instant acclaim. However, as with most of his writing, he was poorly paid for the popular work. His wife, Virginia, passed away in 1847. By 1848, Poe was engaged, but the marriage was called off due to his excessive drinking. In 1849 he becomes engaged to another woman, but doesn't live long enough to marry.

Poe was admitted to a Baltimore hospital in 1849 after being found in a semi-conscious state. He never regained full consciousness and died on Oct. 7, 1849. The strange circumstances of Poe's death have led to many theories about the cause of his demise. Rumors include a tumor, fever, infection, tuberculosis, rabies, alcoholism, suicide and murder.