How Is Edgar Allan Poe Insane

The Man Whose Insanity was Read by Millions

“I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity ”(Ackroyd 96). Edgar Allen Poe was born on July 19,1809 to Eliza and David Poe, who were actors. He became an orphan at a young age and suffered with the many deaths in his life. As a result of the suffering Edgar Allan Poe began to get addicted to alcohol and opium. Edgar Allan Poe used the tragedy, suffering, and addiction in his life to produce some of the most famous literary works.

Edgar Allan Poe’s life is full of tragedy, one instance of this is when his father left the family. His father, David Poe, was an actor from a respected family. In his time, acting was not considered a respectable job and as a result David Poe’s family disowned

Virginia was 14 and Poe was 27 years old (Schoell 50). Years later, Virginia started coughing up blood because of her weakened lungs. There were many ups, and downs with her illness, which was particularly hard on Poe. There are multiple accounts of when Virginia Poe would cough or struggle Poe would shudder and look away (Ackroyd 95). Virginia Poe died on January 30, 1847 at the age of 25 (Schoell 101). Poe wrote many stories after his wife’s death like “The Oval Portrait” and “Masque of the Red Death.” Poe became obsessed with the stars and wrote “Eureka” and “Ulalume.” (Ackroyd 96 ). “Ulalume” was a poem about a man who can’t stop thinking about his wife’s death and can never quite forget it (Schoell 103). Poe also wrote “Annabel Lee” which is a tribute to Virginia (Zott

He was found delusional in the gutter of a tavern in Baltimore on October 3, 1849. How he got there, no one knows for sure. Poe was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with D.T.’s which were hallucinations alcoholics experienced during withdrawal. Poe had an inflamed brain as result to the cold weather. After several days in the hospital, Poe went into a coma. He died on October 7, 1849 (Schoell 115). Poe did not have an easy life. He lost people he loved, struggled with addiction, and did not have an easy path to follow his dream of being an author. If it was not for Poe’s writing mysteries might not have been written and enjoyed my many. Throughout all of these obstacles Poe used the tragedies, struggles, and addictions to fuel his literary