Edgar Allan Poe
Biography
Place of birth
• Boston, MA
Date of birth
• January 19, 1809
Date of death
• October 7, 1849
Place of death
• Baltimore, MD
Burial location
• Westminster Presbyterian churchyard in
Baltimore
Interesting facts about childhood
• Orphaned at age 2
• Taken in by John and Frances (Fanny) Allan of
Richmond, VA
• Attended University of VA at age 17
• Lost all his money gambling and drank too
much
• Got excellent grades anyway
Marriage and Family
• Married 13 y.o. cousin (when he was 26) –
Virginia Clemm
• She was daughter of Maria Clemm, Poe’s aunt
• Virginia died of tuberculosis at age 24
Place(s) where this author lived.
Include dates and explain how each
place influenced them.
• Boston, MA; West Point, NY; New York City;
Baltimore, MD; Richmond, VA; Philadelphia,
PA
• Too many moves to count; experienced much
instability due to many moves, job changes
• Probably contributed to emotional instability
and to dark atmosphere in his work
How did this author become inspired
to write?
• Poe’s Philosophy of Composition:
– Select one effect to achieve
– Length – should be read in one sitting
– Impression – contemplating beauty
– Tone – sadness/melancholy
– Subject – death of a beautiful woman
• Also – “ratiocination” – detective stories
based on logical solution of crime
Where applicable, explain any
obstacles this writer faced
•
•
•
•
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Being orphaned
Rejection by John Allan
Drinking
Poverty
Gambling
How successful was this author
during his/her lifetime?
• Poe was a well known, if controversial, critic
• “The Raven” made him a famous poet
• He was always poor
If the author wasn’t successful or
popular at the time of their death,
explain how and why they are still well
known today
• N/A (he was popular when he died, even
though he wasn’t financially successful.)
Why is this author considered
influential?
• His literary criticism shaped literature.
• His poetry is memorable.
• He created the modern short story (unity of
character, detail, mood).
• He created the detective story (inspired
Sherlock Holmes character).
• Influenced Dreiser, Faulkner, Doyle, Shaw and
King
Identify five (5) characteristics of this
author and give specific examples
• Melancholy – as shown in work
• Unstable – difficult relationships with employers
• Alcoholic (?) – seemed to have a drinking problem,
exact nature of which is unclear
• Ambitious – always wanted to start own magazine
• Loving – to Maria Clemm and Virginia, his wife