Only The Greats: Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. He was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts and died on October 7, 1849 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Poe is known for his macabre and mysterious stories and poems, which have had a significant influence on the genre of detective fiction and the modern horror story. He is also considered the inventor of the detective-fiction genre and is further credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction.
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Early Life of Edgar Allen Poe
Poe was born to actors David and Elizabeth Poe. His father abandoned the family and his mother died of tuberculosis when he was three years old. Poe was taken in by the Allan family, a wealthy merchant family in Richmond, Virginia. He was raised by John Allan and his wife Frances Valentine Allan, who never formally adopted him but gave him the name “Edgar Allan Poe.” Poe attended the University of Virginia but was forced to leave due to lack of funds.
Career
In 1827, Edgar Allan Poe enlisted in the United States Army and later attended West Point Military Academy, but he was discharged for disciplinary reasons. He then turned to writing as a profession. His first book, “Tamerlane and Other Poems,” was published in 1827 and received little attention. Poe’s first successful story, “MS Found in a Bottle,” was published in 1833 and won a literary prize.
Poe’s most famous works include the poem “The Raven” (1845), and the short stories “The Tell-Tale Heart” (1843), “The Fall of the House of Usher” (1839) and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” (1841), which is considered the first detective story. Poe’s stories and poems often dealt with themes of death, the macabre, and the supernatural, and many of his characters were haunted by their pasts. Poe’s writing style was also characterized by his use of vivid and detailed descriptions, as well as his use of irony and symbolism.
Edgar Allan Poe also worked as a literary critic, writing reviews and essays on the works of other authors. He was known for his acerbic criticism and his ability to identify literary trends and anticipate literary movements. Poe also edited several literary magazines, including “The Southern Literary Messenger” and “Graham’s Magazine.”
Edgar’s Legacy
Poe’s influence on literature and popular culture has been significant and enduring. His stories and