Edgar Allen Poe example essay topic

Edgar Allen Poe was born in 1809 on January 19. Elizabeth A rnc and David Poe jr., his parents were both actors but not very successful ones. His father had a drinking problem and soon left his family. Poe's mother took Edgar, William, and Rosalie to Richmond, Virginia. She died soon after. Edgar was separated from his siblings and put in the care of John and Frances Allan.

Poe continued his education and when he was 20, he arrived at West Point Academy. His stepfather remarried after the death of Frances and soon had children. Poe would not receive any inheritance from this man. This set off Poe and he gambled and drank heavily until he was asked to leave West Point. He, then, went to go live with his Aunt Mari Clemm. Years before Poe had begun to write poems and had two volumes already published, and just published a third.

Poe applied for a teaching position but had no luck in attaining any. Poe began to write comics, which was the style at the time. He also wrote a couple of serious short stories. His stepfather became ill but would not see Poe, his grandmother also died. Poe moved back to Richmond. In the year 1836 Poe married his cousin Virginia Clemm and moved to New York City.

Poe soon had a very productive year writing several horror short stories including "The Fall of the House of Usher". Poe moved to Philadelphia and became the co-editor of Burton's Gentlemen Magazine. He was fired for accusing Henry Wadsworth LongFellow of plagiarism. He had many failed attempts at jobs but eventually made comics again.

In 1843, Poe wrote murder stories such as "The Black Cat" and "The Tell-Tale Heart". He wrote more stories, which gave him assistance. He got two major boosts when he moved back to New York City and began writing poetry again. The first boost was his eerie poem "The Raven". He wrote "The Raven". He was a sensation, he also wrote his best poems during this time.

His second boost came from James Lowell, who helped him become editor of the Broadway Journal. Poe bought the magazine but it failed to sell and stopped all together in 1846. By this time, Virginia's health was declining. On January 30, 1947, she died. Poe sunk into depression and took his comfort in the bottle. Poe became friends with several women one being Sarah Whitman who he became engaged with until he called her in a drunken state.

Edgar Allen Poe's last year, 1849, was actually quite steady. He earned his living through lectures and recitals. He talked to Sarah Shelton, his old love who readily took his hand in marriage. Poe wrote is last poem "Annabel Lee" in September.

Poe then left for New York to visit another friend. Yet Poe stopped in Baltimore and was found on Election Day very ill. He was lying half-conscious in the streets not far from a pub. No one really knows what happened that night. Poe was rushed to a hospital.

Edgar Allen Poe died on October 7, 1849 and was buried the next day at Baltimore's Presbyterian Cemetery. web.