Edgar Allen Poe by Neah Craighead

The first years

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Born on January 19th, 1809 in Boston. He was the second child of two actors. Soon after his birth his father abandoned him with his mother and 2 siblings, leaving her to die a year later by tuberculosis. Edgar at the age of 2 was taken in by a couple in Virginia, despite living with them they never adopted him.

Adolescence

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In 1824 Poe was part of a junior honor color guard and escorted the Revolutionary War General Marquis de Lafayette around Virginia (specifically Richmond). While being a color guard he escorted Lafayette to the Richmond’s Old Stone House to visit the Ege family who assisted in the American Revolution. At the age of 17 Edgar attended the University of Virginia and left a fiance at home. He left a year later due to lack of funds, he tried to gamble his way out of his financial rut but instead it put him in debt.

Young Adulthood

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Soon after his time dropping out of college he moved to Boston where he published his first poem “Tamerlane and Other Poems” under the alias of “A Bostonian.” While turning 18 he joined the army under the name “Edgar A. Perry” where he was very well off there, aside from the once again financial problems. Poe was soon given a bad conduct discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for six months otherwise known as a Maximum Punishment for Dereliction of Duty. Poe moved to Baltimore and lived with several relatives, he lived there for 4 years where he stopped writing poetry and in turn began writing short stories.

Adulthood

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Poe decidedly took special interest in the Southern Literary Messenger, a publication where he published “Metzengerstein” which is considered his first horror story. Soon after Poe joined the Southern Literary Messenger, he began to have issues with his editor Thomas White, some think the root of his problems may have come from Poe’s drinking. One day Poe invited his aunt and cousin he lived with before moving to Baltimore to live with him in Richmond. One year later, Poe and his COUSIN Virginia then got married. She was 13, he was 27. (He was a incestuous pedophile) In 1837 Poe and his family left the Southern Literary Messenger and Richmond, starting in 1838 while living in Philadelphia where he lived the rest of his prime years of literature. One of his many stories, "The Murders in the Rue Morgue” is a very renowned achievement of his because it was the first modern detective story. Poe wrote for many genres, but his works in horror is what makes him known today. He was one of the first people to start psychological horror (My favorite type of horror). Near this time his wife Virginia showing signs for tuberculosis, she was sick for several years and died in 1847 while they lived in New York.

His death

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After Virginia's death he moved to Richmond, where he restored his childhood romance with Elmira Shelton, who was then a wealthy widow at the time. He and Elmire got engaged in 1849 despite her children rejecting him, Poe planned to move to Richmond and travel to New York to bring his mother-in-law back and meet a client in Philadelphia. On his last day in Richmond his wife Elmira wanted Poe to see a doctor due to being concerned for his health. After a late meal, he boarded a ship to Baltimore on September 27, and from then until October 3, no one really knows what happened. He was found incoherent in a tavern and taken to Washington University Hospital, where he was inebriated fighting between consciousness until he died on October 7. His doctor traced his death to “phrenitis,” a vague term used when the cause isn't fully known. He died young, at the age of 40 years old.

The legacy

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Poe’s writing is heavily influenced by Romanticism, particularly its interest in the occult, he allows his work to turn dreams into clear and vivid stories. He has a double personality, being warm to some and critical to others which adds many mixed opinions about him. His attention to detail adds to his narratives using his logical thinking is you can see how it's reflected in characters of the like. Poe’s influence was recognized early on, especially in France, where poets like Charles Baudelaire and Stéphane Mallarmé fostered his significance, shaping the French Symbolism and the idea of pure poetry.

The works

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Edgar Allan Poe has a bountiful collect of his various works, from his most famous; “To Helen” (1831), “The Raven” (1845), and “Annabel Lee” (1849); the short stories of wickedness and crime “The Tell-Tale Heart” (1843) and “The Cask of Amontillado” (1846); and the supernatural horror story “The Fall of the House of Usher” (1839). and to his least known; Berenice, 1835. Berenice, Edgar Allan Poe (1835), The Murders in the Rue Morgue, 1841, The Imp of the Perverse, 1845, and The Purloined Letter, 1844. Despite him being know mainly for his short stories and poems he has also made plays, novels, tales, and essays.

A video of his works

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A video of his life

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Poe's Works of Non-Fiction

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Edgar has also made many non-fiction works along with the poems and stories as I talked of before, he has many published letters, essays, criticism and documents that are out for many to read. One in particular, a poem to his foster parents during his rut with money and college is about how he wishes for a friendly relationship with them. He writes; "It is a long time since I have written to you unless with an application for money or assistance. I am sorry that it is so seldom that I hear from you or even of you — for all communication seems to be at an end"

Influence

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Edgar Allan Poe’s 19th-century works have profoundly influenced American culture and literature while he gained some recognition with “The Raven” in 1845, he struggled through his life and was widely forgotten until French poet Charles Baudelaire regained interest in him. Poe is a prolific founder of both the detective and horror genres, with his character C. Auguste Dupin from his short story "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," inspiring authors like Arthur Conan Doyle. His writings are valued in education for illustrating mood and setting, and his prose poem “Eureka” contributed early ideas to science fiction. Born in 1809, Poe faced personal tragedies and financial struggles that affected his education and relationships. His works emphasize artistic ideals and psychological depth, often featuring unreliable narrators. Stories like “The Fall of the House of Usher” connect him to writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne. Poe’s legacy influences later authors such as Ambrose Bierce and H.P. Lovecraft, and he laid the groundwork for modern crime fiction with “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.” His unique blend of Gothic elements and themes of despair remains impactful today.

The Raven

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"The Raven" by Poe was one of his most famous poems published. The book is about a cold night, at midnight, the narrator is alone, feeling “weak and weary,” as he reads an old book filled with “forgotten lore.” He starts to doze off but is abruptly awakened by a knock at his door. Initially, he reassures himself that it’s just a visitor, reflecting a logical reason of action to the knock. However, the cold atmosphere and the old book create a "gothic mood," hinting at something eerie. The narrator’s drowsiness blurs the line between reality and dreams, raising questions about whether his experiences are supernatural or just in his mind. His need to rationalize the knock shows his inner conflict between doubt and reason, highlighting the tension in his character.

What Theories

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Many theories exist regarding death of Edgar Allan Poe, including possibilities of suicide, murder, and various illnesses such as cholera and rabies, with many attributing his death to alcohol intoxication. Despite his prominent contributions to the literary arts, particularly to detective fiction and horror, the details of his final days are unclear or are contradictory. This continued mystery continues to fascinate fans and learners, allowing more exploration of his life and death.

The Alcohol Theory

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The main theory about Edgar Allan Poe’s death is that alcoholism played a large role, specifically during his wife Virginia’s illness from 1842 to 1847. However, the impact of alcohol is unknown, as he didn’t die from a typical accident, and his drinking may not have caused major liver damage. Some believe poor nutrition and health issues made him susceptible to delirium tremens, but this doesn’t fully explain his condition. J.E. Snodgrass was a advocate for this theory, but Edward Spencer later pointed out inconsistencies in his claim. In 1878, Susan A. T. Weiss described Poe’s sickly state at the Old Swan Tavern and Duncan’s Lodge, where doctors warned him that another relapse could be fatal. He said that he could avoid this if he weren’t tempted.

Disease or Medical Problems

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In March 1847, Edgar Allan Poe was diagnosed with brain lesions and brain fever by Dr. Valentine Mott and nurse Mrs. Shew. A doctor recently noted a facial twist that suggested a brain issue, in May 1848, Dr. John W. Francis diagnosed him with heart disease. Poe rejected it and by July 1849, he was seriously ill with cholera-like symptoms but later reported feeling better. Mrs. Shew observed a scar on Poe’s left shoulder, which he said was from an old injury that might have affected his health. Dr. John C. S. Monkur believed his nervous stress could have led to his death, while Arno Karlen theorized that Poe may have had a rare enzyme disorder connected to his alcohol problems and sudden death.