Have you ever read the poems; “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” or “Annabel Lee?” Well if you have, then you’ve probably also heard of a man named Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar Allan Poe was a renowned poet all over the states. He is most famous for his gory and chilling poems which could be inspired by his despairing past.
Foremost, Poe was known for his amazing writing, but underneath the surface, he experienced a traumatic life. He was a man of many mysteries, including his own death that remains a mystery to the present day. When he died, he was 40 years old. “Poe’s death—shrouded in mystery—seems ripped directly from the pages of one of his own works” (The (Still) Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe).
His family’s deaths, though, are known. At just the age of 3, Poe’s parents died of tuberculosis. Poe was then housed in a foster home where the Allan family found him and adopted him. Later, Poe’s foster mom succumbed to tuberculosis as well. Poe took the name “Allan” and used it as a middle name. Poe’s foster dad then disowned Poe where he was then given to his aunt and uncle.
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His brother later died of alcoholism. While living with his aunt and uncle, Edgar (24) and his cousin, Virginia Clemm (13) fell in love and became married. Later, Virginia died of tuberculosis. “By the time he was three, Edgar, his older brother, and his younger sister were orphans; their father deserted the family, and then their mother died” (Edgar Allan Poe Biography). All of these deaths in Poe’s life most likely was the cause of his brutal and terrifying poems.
In addition, Poe’s poems were his main success. When Poe lived with his foster family, he was admitted into a private school but was later kicked out due to his failing academics. He later enlists into the army, but was never noticed. He became a sergeant major but did not want to partake in the full five years. He left with a promise to attend West Point Academy. “He did not want to serve out the full five years, however, and he arranged to be discharged from the army on the condition that he would seek an appointment at West Point Academy” (Edgar Allan Poe Biography).
Once Edgar settled down with his wife, he took on writing as a career path and was submitting short stories to magazines. He was winning awards and recognition. His friend decided to get him a job at the Southern Literary Messenger. He was doing well for a year until he was kicked out of the joba year later due to drinking. Edgar kept finding new writing jobs, but often ended up with him being fired for drinking and conflicts. Still, Poe pursued his writing.
It’s clear to see Poe experienced may mishaps and tragic events in his life before even the age of 30. This either sparked a sense in him to write about it, or just gave him more inspiration.
