Edgar Allen Poe One of the earliest major contributors to American literature, Edgar Allen Poe led the forefront of the new emerging writing industry within America during the early 1800’s. His Signature Gothic style led him to be regarded as a central figure of romanticism. Poe’s works made him one of the first contributors to science fiction and the inventor of the detective fiction genre. Born Edgar Poe on January 9,1809 in Boston, Massachusetts to two stage actors. He had an older brother William Henry Poe and a younger sister. His Parents moved to New York City in the summer of 1809. His father, hot-headed and alcoholic, abandoned the family about two weeks after the move. The family followed Their mothers stage career to Richmond Virginia …show more content…
Although he only received nine dollars for its publication, the reputation he gained made him a household name almost overnight. Poe moved to Fordham, New York. Shortly after the move, his wife Virginia died of tuberculosis. The frequent theme of “a death of s beautiful woman” is thought to derive from the frequent death of women throughout Edgar’s life. The death fueled his increasingly unstable behavior and alcoholism. He attempted to court a fellow poet Sarah Helen Whitman but the relationship failed due to his erratic behavior, alcoholism, and dislike from his mother-in-law. He then moved back to Richmond and resumed a childhood relationship with Sarah Elmira Royster. On the afternoon of October 3, 1849, Poe was found delirious on the streets of Baltimore dressed in clothes that were not his own. He was taken to the Washington Medical College and died four days later. Poe was never conscious long enough to explain how he was in such a condition. It is said that he called out the name “Reynolds” repeatedly the night before his death but it is uncertain as to who he was referring to. All medical records have been lost including his death certificate. The cause of his death is still a mystery although the new media reported it as a result of cerebral inflammation. The odd circumstances of his death has led to much speculation. Some theories suggest it was a result of heart disease, syphilis, epilepsy, rabies, and even political