Poe had a turbulent life and that showed. He died when he was only forty years old and during that time became estranged with many people in his life. As such, it is hard to pinpoint the character of the man who was so very good at making up characters to his stories.
When and where was Poe born?
Edgar (Allan) Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts on January 19, 1809 as a middle child. He had an elder brother named William and a younger sister named Rosalie. When Edgar was only two years old his father abandoned the family and a year later his mother died of consumption (now known as Tuberculosis). He became a foster child of John Allan, who was a merchant in Richmond, Virginia. They gave him the name Edgar Allan Poe, even though they never formally adopted him.
Family Life
John Allan was a hard man to life with. One moment he spoiled Poe and gave him everything his heart could ever desire. The other moment he was severly punished for even the smallest infractions. He expected the best once Poe started his schooling.
Schooling
Poe attended grammar school for a short period in Irvine, Scotland when the family sailed to the UK, before he joined the family in London in 1816. He then studies at a boarding school in Chelsea until 1817, after which he entered Reverend John Bransby's Manor House School at Stoke Newington.
In 1820 the Allans moved back to Richmond and in 1826 Poe registered at the University of Virginia in February 1826 to study ancient and modern languages.
When did Poe marry and whom?
Even his marriage was not exactly conventional. On September 22, 1835 Poe petitioned for a licence to marry Virginia Clemm. They were married for 11 years before she also died of consumption, just like Poe's mother. So what was so controversial? Well, there were two things. First of all, Poe was 27 when he got married, but his wife was only thirteen at the time. Second of all, Virginia was Poe's cousin...
Rebel
Even though Poe joined a good university, he wasn't able to follow the rules. After only one year he left university with a gambling debt and an alcohol problem. He had accused his father of not giving him enough money and, as such, didn't feel welcome to go back home.
Military life
Since he didn't feel welcome to go back home and his father had stopped sending him money, Poe was unable to support himself. Therefore, in May 1827 he joined the military. He used a fake name (Edgar A. Perry) and told the drafting agent that he was 22 years old, even though he was only 18. He served for two years and was able to get the rank Sergeant Major for Artillery. By then he was tired of the military and revealed his name and age to his comanding officer, in hopes of being let go. The Luitenant told him he was only allowed to leave if he made peace with his father. For several months he was ignored until his mother died. His father, softened by the death of his wife, allowed Edgar to leave the military in 1829. However, his father had re-married again without his knowledge and in 1831 his father officially disowned him, because Poe could not accept his new wife.
Writer's life
Poe was one of the first American writer's who wanted to live by writing alone. He moved to Richmond with his wife and her mother and worked at newspapers for a while to make a living. Meanwhile, he continued to publish both poems and short stories. In 1842 his wife started to show the first signs of consumption and in 1845 his poem 'The Raven' was published, making him instantly famous. Many believe his ill wife was his inspiration for the poem. Finally, on January 30, 1847, his wife died.
The end
Poe was rumoured to never have recovered from his wife's death. He became unstable and started drinking. On October 3, 1849, Poe was found delirious on the streets of Baltimore. According to Joseph W. Walker, who found him, he was 'in great distress, and.... in need of immediate assistance'. He died on October 7, 1849, but was never again coherent enough to explain how he came to be in such dire condition and wearing clothing not his own. He is said to have repeatedly called for "Reynolds" before his death, though it is uncertain who he was referring to.
It has been said that Poe's last words were: "Lord help my poor soul."
How Poe died will forever remain a mystery, since all official death records, including his death certificate have disappeared.
Draw my life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuaHMpAtO6A