Edgar Allan Poe

1
Edgar Allan Poe

• Biography

2
Place of birth

• Boston, MA

Date of birth

• January 19, 1809

3
Date of death

• October 7, 1849

Place of death

• Baltimore, MD

Burial location

• Westminster Presbyterian churchyard in Baltimore

4
Interesting facts about childhood

• Orphaned at age 2
• Taken in by John and Frances (Fanny) Allan of
  Richmond, VA
• Attended University of VA at age 17
• Lost all his money gambling and drank too much
• Got excellent grades anyway

5
Marriage and Family

• Married 13 y.o. cousin (when he was 26)
  Virginia Clemm
• She was daughter of Maria Clemm, Poes aunt
• Virginia died of tuberculosis at age 24

6
Place(s) where this author lived. Include dates
and explain how each place influenced them.

• Boston, MA West Point, NY New York City
  Baltimore, MD Richmond, VA Philadelphia, PA
• Too many moves to count experienced much
  instability due to many moves, job changes
• Probably contributed to emotional instability and
  to dark atmosphere in his work

7
How did this author become inspired to write?

• Poes Philosophy of Composition
• Select one effect to achieve
• Length should be read in one sitting
• Impression contemplating beauty
• Tone sadness/melancholy
• Subject death of a beautiful woman
• Also ratiocination detective stories based
  on logical solution of crime

8
Where applicable, explain any obstacles this
writer faced

• Being orphaned
• Rejection by John Allan
• Drinking
• Poverty
• Gambling

9
How successful was this author during his/her
lifetime?

• Poe was a well known, if controversial, critic
• The Raven made him a famous poet
• He was always poor

10
If the author wasnt successful or popular at the
time of their death, explain how and why they are
still well known today

• N/A (he was popular when he died, even though he
  wasnt financially successful.)

11
Why is this author considered influential?

• His literary criticism shaped literature.
• His poetry is memorable.
• He created the modern short story (unity of
  character, detail, mood).
• He created the detective story (inspired Sherlock
  Holmes character).
• Influenced Dreiser, Faulkner, Doyle, Shaw and King

12
Identify five (5) characteristics of this author
and give specific examples

• Melancholy as shown in work
• Unstable difficult relationships with employers
• Alcoholic (?) seemed to have a drinking
  problem, exact nature of which is unclear
• Ambitious always wanted to start own magazine
• Loving to Maria Clemm and Virginia, his wife