Edgar Allan Poe

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Edgar Allan Poe 1809-1849

Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809 - October 7, 1849) was an American poet, short-story writer, editor, and literary critic, and is considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and invented the detective-fiction genre. He is credited with contributing to the emerging genre of science fiction. He was the first well-known American writer to try to earn a living through writing alone, resulting in a financially difficult life and career

Timeline

1809 Edgar Poe is born on January 19, in Boston. 1810 Edgar's parents separate. Elizabeth Poe takes the children.

1811 Edgar's mother, Elizabeth dies. Mr. and Mrs. John Allan adopt Edgar Poe.

1815 Edgar Allan goes to school in England.

1820 Edgar returns to the U.S. and continues his schooling. 1826 Edgar attends the University of Virginia, goes by "Edgar Poe".

1827 Poe drops out of school because John Allan won't give him any money. Poe writes and prints his first book, "Tamerlane and other Poems". Poe can't support himself so he joins the United States Army.

1828 Edgar Poe does well in the Army, attains rank of sergeant major.

1829 Mrs. Allan dies, Edgar returns home. Poe and John Allan temporarily reconcile their differences. Poe applies to West Point, John Allan sponsors him.

1831 Poe deliberately gets kicked out of West Point.

1832 Poe submits a number of stories to magazines. They are rejected.

1833 Poe sends a desperate letter to John Allan asking for help, and is ignored. 1834 John Allan dies and leaves Edgar nothing in his will.

1835 Poe wins a contest for "The Manuscript Found in a Bottle". Because of the contest, Poe finally gets a job.

1836 Edgar Poe marries his cousin Virginia in May. She is 13.

1839 Poe writes "The Fall of the House of Usher". "Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque", Poe's first volume of short stories, is published. He receives no money from the publisher.

1845 Poe writes "The Raven". Poe was working 14 hour days but couldn't make a living.

1847 Poe's wife, Virginia, dies from tuberculosis on January 30.

1849 40 years old Poe joins the "Sons of Temperance" in an effort to stop drinking. Poe lectures on "The Poetic Principle".

Sept 27 - Poe leaves Richmond and goes back to Philadelphia.

Sept 30 - Poe apparently gets on the wrong train and goes to Baltimore.

Oct 3 - Poe is found half conscious and is taken to a hospital.

Edgar Allan Poe dies on October 7, 1849.