Overview
Timelines
Themes of Mystery and the Macabre
Overview and main events
Education and Military Service
Early Life and Family
Literary Career
Legacy and Impact
Influence on Detective Fiction
Financial Struggles and Personal Instability
Editorial and Critical Career
Personal Relationships and Marriages
Themes of Death and Loss
Chronicle
Articles
Edgar Allan Poe. Overview and main events
Overview and main events
Edgar Allan Poe, born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts, was a pivotal figure in American literature, renowned for his contributions to poetry, short stories, and literary criticism. His works, often characterized by themes of mystery, the macabre, and the human psyche, have left an indelible mark on literature. Here is a timeline of significant events in his life and career.
January 19, 1809
Birth
Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth Arnold Poe and David Poe, Jr., both of whom were traveling actors. He was the second of three children, with an older brother Henry and a younger sister Rosalie.
December 8, 1811
Parents' Death
Both of Poe's parents died of tuberculosis within days of each other. Following their deaths, Edgar was taken in by John and Frances Allan in Richmond, Virginia, and adopted their last name as his middle name.
February 1826
University of Virginia
Poe attended the University of Virginia, where he studied ancient and modern languages. However, he was expelled due to his inability to pay his gambling debts.
May 26, 1827
Enlistment in the U.S. Army and First Publication
Poe enlisted in the U.S. Army under the name 'Edgar A. Perry,' claiming to be 22 years old although he was only 18. During this time, his first book of poetry, 'Tamerlane and Other Poems,' was published.
December 1835
Editor of the Southern Literary Messenger
Poe became the editor of the Southern Literary Messenger magazine in Richmond, Virginia. He published critical reviews, his own stories, and poems, including 'Berenice,' 'King Pest,' and 'Morella.'
May 16, 1836
Marriage to Virginia Clemm
Poe married his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm, in Richmond, Virginia. The couple moved to New York and later to Philadelphia.
January 30, 1847
Death of Virginia Clemm
Poe's wife, Virginia, died of tuberculosis at their home in the Bronx. Her death sent Poe into a period of deep despair and increased his reliance on alcohol.
1845
Publication of 'The Raven'
Poe's poem 'The Raven' was published in the New York Evening Mirror. It became one of his most famous works, known for its musicality, stylized language, and supernatural atmosphere.
August 1849
Engagement to Elmira Royster Shelton
Poe became engaged to his childhood sweetheart, Elmira Royster Shelton, after convincing her to marry him. He also joined the Sons of Temperance, an organization that forbade drinking.
October 7, 1849
Death
Edgar Allan Poe was found unconscious in a Baltimore gutter and was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The cause of his death remains unknown. He was buried at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Baltimore.
