Facts about the life of Edgar Allan Poe (9 photos)

January 19, 1809 in Boston was born one of the darkest and most oppressive writers of world literature. His frightening stories fear not only for children, but also for adults. The life of a poet and writer full of the same mysticism as his work.





The actors of the future writer were David and Eliza Poe - theater actors. David was an alcoholic and ended up leaving his family. Elise had to support her family alone and she moved with the children to Richmond (Virginia), where she wanted to find work in the theater. But soon Eliza fell ill with tuberculosis and died on December 8, 1811. By the terrible Coincidentally, Po's father also died three days later.

Little Edgar was then only two years old.

He was adopted by a Richmond family. Many, by the way, think that Allan is the middle name of Edgar, but it is the surname of Francis and John, who adopted.

At the age of 18, the young man spent almost all his money on independent publication of his poetic work "Tamerlane and other poets"

A few copies of this pamphlet are priceless today, but in those days it was not a success at all.

In 1827, he enlisted in the army and in order not to be wanted creditors, registered under the name of Egar A. Perry. There he quickly rose to sergeant.

At the end of his service, he went to Baltimore, where he settled with his aunts Maria - sisters of Edgar's own father. Maria's mother also lived in the house, Elizabeth, and Mary's children - Virginia and Henry.

In 1835, Henry and Elizabeth died.



Poe left Baltimore and joined the Southern Literary messenger" in Richmond. A year later, as soon as he got on his feet, he moved to Mary and Virginia for myself.

On May 16, 1836, Edgar Allan Poe married his cousin Virginia. The girl was 13 years old.



Unfortunately, Poe's father's problem was passed on to his son - writer was known for his drinking. And the problem was so serious that the editor of the Southern Literary Bulletin was forced to fire him.

It is likely that progressive drinking played a role in Poe's death.



When Poe published The Raven in January 1845, he already had a strong reputation as a literary critic. But that's how he is a science fiction writer was little known.

But The Raven changed everything. The poem became known to the whole world and became one of his most popular creations.

"The Crow" was actively reprinted and this led to the publication of two separate volumes of prose and poetry. He was called to the most closed and exclusive clubs in New York, children ran after him down the street, shouting "never again!".

But all this fame did not bring him great financial benefits: According to various sources, earnings on the poem ranged from 9 to 15 dollars.



The newly published editions earned him another $120 in royalties, but since he took $135 in advance, he got nothing. It was career boost, but it quickly fizzled out.

In the spring of 1846, Edgar moved with Virginia and Mary to country house in the Bronx, which was 14 miles from Manhattan, which was a kind of literary exile.



Young Virginia fell ill with tuberculosis... The writer's wife died on January 30, 1847.

After the death of Virginia, Poe was determined to marry again in order to finally get out of poverty.

For several months he corresponded with the widowed poet Sarah Helen Whitman.

Having declared without warning to her home in the fall of 1848, he received resolute refusal to propose a hand and heart. After that the poet went to Massachusetts, where there was another potential wife, Annie Richmond, but she was already married.



In November and December, Poe again tried to meet with Sarah Whitman, and in Eventually, he persuaded her to marry him. Sarah's mother was categorically against this marriage and made every effort to ensure that Po never received shares of family property.

Most likely, that is why the wedding never took place.

But at the same time, Poe stubbornly sought the hand of another of his longtime lover - Sarah Royster Shelton.

He made an offer to her, and despite the fact that her malready in in his will indicated that if Sarah remarried, she would have to to lose 3/4 of his property, she said she would think about it.



On September 27, 1849, Poe boarded a steamer bound for New York. And despite his vows to future bride Sarah Royster Shelton that he would not will drink and according to some sources it is believed that he broke the oath when the ship stood in Baltimore on 28 September.

On October 3, a certain Joseph Walker sent a letter to Edgar's friend that he was found in a ditch in Baltimore completely insane.



An acquaintance tracked down Poe and immediately sent him to the hospital. Writer continued to be in a state of delirium and explain what happened to him happened and couldn't. On October 7, 1849, Edgar Allan Poe died. The cause of Poe's death remains unknown and there are many around her. speculation.