Edgar Allan Poe

1. Edgar Allan Poe Dates to Remember

2. 1809 • January 19 – Edgar Poe is born in Boston, MA to David and Elizabeth Poe.

3. 1810 • Edgar’s parents separate, when his father abandons the family. • Edgar, his brother Henry, and sister Rosalie live with their mother. • Henry lived with his grandparents. He became a writer, but dies of TB at the age of 24. • Rosalie died at 64 – lived with family friends, the Usher family – there was question about her paternity.

4. 1811 • Edgar’s mom Elizabeth dies of tuberculosis (TB). • Edgar is adopted by John and Francis Allan – where he obtains his middle name. • He is separated from his brother and sister.

5. 1815 • Edgar and his family move to England and live there until 1820. • However, five years later, John Allan’s business venture fails, and he must take his family back to Richmond, Virginia in 1820

6. 1820 • Edgar goes to school in Richmond. • (In 1825, Poe becomes secretly engaged to Sarah Elmira Royster. • She later left him for Alexander Shelton, who was wealthy.)

7. 1825 • John Allan inherits a fortune when his uncle dies. (Estimated $750,000)

8. 1826 • Poe enters the University of Virginia; he was 17. • He was unable to complete his studies at the university because his father – John Allan – refused to pay debts that Poe incurred during the school year. • A large portion of these debts were from gambling.

9. 1827 • Poe drops out of school because John Allan will not give him any money. • Poe writes and prints his first book of poems, Tamerlane. • Poe cannot support himself, so he joins the army.

10. 1829 • Mrs. Francis Allan dies of tuberculosis. • Poe and John Allan reconcile. • Allan convinces Poe to leave the army and return to school at West Point – an army military academy. • Poe is discharged from the army and receives an appointment as a cadet at West Point.

11. 1831 • While at West Point, Poe receives little financial support from Mr. Allan. • This financial hardship and Poe’s love of writing lead to his wanting to resign his commission. • John Allan refused to give permission. • So Poe did not report for duty or classes, and he was dishonorably discharged. • He moves in with his Aunt Maria Poe Clemm and her daughter Virginia (age 9 at this date).

12. 1833 • Again, Poe asks John Allan for money, but Allan refuses. • He wins $50 for a short story “Ms. Found in a Bottle”.

13. 1834 • John Allan dies. • He leaves Edgar nothing in his will.

14. 1836 • Poe works in Richmond, Virginia. • His aunt Maria and cousin Virginia join him in Virginia. • Poe marries his cousin Virginia. She is 13 years old.

15. 1839 • Poe writes the “Fall of the House of Usher.”

16. 1842 • Virginia Poe becomes ill with Tuberculosis (TB). • Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection, primarily in the lungs. TB can remain in an inactive (dormant) state for years without causing symptoms or spreading to other people. • When the immune system of a patient with dormant TB is weakened, the TB can become active (reactivate) and cause infection in the lungs or other parts of the body.

17. 1843 • Poe wins $100 for writing “The Gold Bug”. • His wife’s illness and financial problems cause Poe to sink into deep bouts of depression. • Poe publishes “The Tell Tale Heart”.

18. 1844 • The Poes and Mrs. Clemm move back to New York City. 1845 • Poe publishes his poem “The Raven”.

19. 1847 • Virginia dies of tuberculosis. • She died on January 30. • Poe falls ill during this time.

20. 1849 • Poe travels to Richmond, Virginia to lecture and see friends during mid-summer (July, August). • He is reintroduced to Sarah Royster Shelton, who is a widow. • Edgar and Sarah become engaged (again).

21. 1849 • September 27 – Poe travels from Richmond to Philadelphia. • September 30 – Poe gets on the wrong train and goes to Baltimore. • October 3 – Poe is found in the street, half conscious, and is taken to a hospital. • October 7 – Edgar Allan Poe dies.