Edgar Allan Poe Research Paper

Edgar Allan Poe born on the 19th of January 1809 in the town of Boston was the child of an unfortunate marriage settled between Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins and David Poe, two illustrious stage actors. His mother, who had bourn three children including himself was abandoned by her husband, whilst Edgar had just reached the tender age of one. Elizabeth, as ambitious as ever was juggling with maintaining a successful stage career along with looking after the family. Shortly after, his mother a renowned beauty, died due to tuberculosis of the lungs, Edgar was then two years old. The three Poe children were then separated among their relatives, Edgar was placed in the care of a Mrs and Mr John Allan, a barren couple, who resided in Richmond, Virginia.

But I was drawn into it by my companions. Even their professions of friendship — hollow as they were — were a relief.”

― Edgar Allan Poe

In the fullness of time (perhaps a year) an alienation developed between Poe and his foster father due in large to Poe’s gambling addiction which had resulted in substantial debts. After a duration of a year or so Poe left the university with the small funds he had stored and ventured unto another parallel lifestyle.

Poe joined the US army, in the year of 1827. In order to enrol Poe forged his age, so as to appear older and had his name slightly altered to suit the situation. During this time he published many of his poems such as ‘Tamerlane’.

Shortly after Poe decided to quit the army, he contacts his foster- father and begs for forgiveness and assistance (consent) in withdrawing from enlistment, he also sends his love to his mum and wishes them well. Poe was left unanswered but he did not give up and wrote again this time talking to his father with the affectionate nature of

He still wrote to his family in vain. In the year of 1829 Mrs Allan died, and Poe arrived in his hometown the day after the funeral. Finally Mr Allan gave-in and granted Poe a leave of absence from the army.

In the year of 1831 Edgar went to live with Aunt Clemm and her daughter Virginia aged nine in Baltimore (his brother had been resident at that household). His foster-father had re-married and he did not feel accepted in that family circle. Whilst with the Clemms Poe lunged deeply into his literary capacity so as to support himself but was at one point on the brink of arrest for debts, but John Allan had sent him some money on request.

In the year of 1832 Poe had five short stories published in the Philadelphia Courier. Amazingly Poe still entertained hope in regard to his foster father John Allan contacting him. Later that year Mr Allan died and Poe is said to have been involved with many