Edgar Allan Poe. Early Life and Family

Edgar Allan Poe is born in Boston to Elizabeth Arnold Poe and David Poe, Jr., both of whom are traveling actors.

Both of Poe's parents die of tuberculosis within days of each other. Edgar goes to live with John and Frances Allan in Richmond, Virginia.

The Allan family sails to London, where Edgar enrolls in school. They return to Richmond, Virginia five years later.

Poe runs up a $2,000 gambling debt while at the University of Virginia, leading to an argument with his foster father, John Allan, and subsequently leaving the Allans.