Edgar Allan Poe Research Paper

Edgar Allan Poe is regarded as one of the greatest writers and poets in the history of American culture. His imaginative storytelling easily captures the attention of readers and fully immerses them in his dark world. The provocative nature of his works quickly gained him a strong reputation as the master of detective stories. His plethora of short stories and poems grasped the imaginations and interest of audiences around the world. However, his life was as enigmatic and polarizing as his works. Some see Poe as a perverse drunkard, while others saw him as a refined poet and a genius. Also, many aspects of his life are obscured by mystery making it even tougher to form a clears stance for or against Poe and his works. Poe blurred the

His father came from a good Baltimore family but he was a mediocre actor and a heavy drinker. He deserted his family in late 1810 when Poe was barely two years old leaving him and his two siblings under the care of the mother. Elizabeth continued to perform theatrically but she barely made enough to make ends meet. She worked hard but it was not enough. Placing her eldest son, Henry, in the care of relatives in Baltimore, Elizabeth looked after Edgar and his younger sibling, Rosalie while continuing her acting career. However, the charming and talented actress made her last stage appearance in October of 1811 because of her fatal bout with tuberculosis. The young actress died at the age of twenty-four in December 1811. Poe was then split from his younger sibling as Rosalie was sent to live with the Mackenzie family while Edgar would be raised by ambitious Richmond merchant, John Allan, and his wife, Francis

Poe was somewhat spoiled in his early years with the Allans. They sent him to visit nearby plantations and took him to stylish resorts. He even received a very early education and was reportedly able to read newspapers at the age of five. In 1815, John Allan relocated his family to London in order to open up a new branch of his firm. Poe was sent to a number of private schools, most notably to Manor House School which Poe later drew from as a setting for some of his stories. The boy was both academically brilliant and athletic, often partaking in “footraces, boxing matches, and jumping contests” (Gerald). After long enjoying the favor of his foster parents, especially Mrs. Allen, their evidently fortunate relationship quickly deteriorated. Financial troubles forced John Allan to close up in London and return to Richmond in 1820. Despite Poe’s excellence in Latin, Greek, and other literary subjects, he began to act reckless in his adolescent