Poe, More Than a Poet: Edgar Allan Poe

2. Poe, More Than a Poet:Edgar Allan Poe By Nita Tunga

3. Objective • Edgar Allan Poe led a very hard, difficult life. • My objective is for you to be able to list 3 of the hardships Poe faced during his lifetime

4. American Literature Before the 1800’s, poets and authors based their literature off of European styles and Greek and Roman myths. After the 19th century, American literature 19th century, American literature focused more on styles reflecting America.

5. Poe Biography • Was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts • Was a poet, critic, short story writer, and author • Was adopted after his parents’ deaths by Frances and John Allan • Died in 1849

6. Edgar Allan Poe • John Allan began gathering debts • Poe could not pay these debts • Went to live with his aunt, Maria Clemm • His brother lived there too until he died of tuberculosis • Met his future wife, daughter of his aunt, Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe • Virginia developed tuberculosis and died that same January after helping plan her own funeral

7. Writing Career • Attended University of Virginia in Richmond • Wrote horrors and science fictions • Published The Murders in the Rue Morgue, which was thought to be the first detective story

8. Parents died when he was at a young age Was adopted and sent to boarding school Adopted father began acquiring gambling debts Kicked out of school due to the debts Brother died of tuberculosis Wife died of tuberculosis Begins drinking alcohol Goes insane Fears sanity Hardships

9. Expansion • Edgar Allan Poe created a new window of opportunities for America during his lifetime through his works • He started to write about dark things • He wrote what is known to be the first detective story