Edgar Allan Poe Background
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Edgar Allan Poe entered the world on January 19, 1809. His talent of creative writing was noticed in his early life and gave him the nickname “Father of the Detective Story.” His childhood was very sad, the son of actors, his father left the family and his mother died when he was three. After getting separated from his siblings, Edgar moved in with the Allan Family. He never got along with his step-father, which might have led to the horror and mystery poems he wrote. He had many different ideas about how he wanted to live his life. After attending the University of Virginia, he enlisted in the army. After getting kicked out of West Point, he focused fully on his writings. He wrote many works, books and poems. He also was a cut-throat critic for a magazine. Money started to be a problem for the Allans, since Edgar only wanted to write poems instead of getting a job. Not many copies of his works were sold when he was alive. Many of his most recognizable works include The Black Cat, The Raven and the Cask of Amontillado. Also, Poe had a huge problem with alcoholism. It influenced a lot of his writings, most of the main characters in his short stories battled with alcohol and insanity. They also exhibited rageful fits that resembled fits Poe had in real life. It was all witnessed by his thirteen year old wife and cousin, during the time he lived with his aunt in Virginia. After she died, it is said that Poe fell into a deep depression and slipped deeper and deeper into alcoholism. He died in a hospital on October 7, 1849 due to unknown causes. Most professionals think it was congestion of the brain, but some speculate it was due to alcohol, carbon monoxide poisoning and rabies. His reputation was completely diminished after his death, but he is still known as one of the most extraordinary mystery stories writers ever.