Jackson Creek Middle School

The Life of

Edgar Allan Poe

by Brian B.

In 1809 Poe was born into a band of traveling actors. Then not 2 years later his mother died and Poe was sent to live with John Allan.

In 1826 Poe attended the University of Virginia but was forced to withdraw for gambling debts. The very next year he enlisted in the army and wrote his first volume of poems, "Jamerlane and many others."

In 1829 Poe wrote his second volume,"Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane, and Minor Poems."

In 1830 he wrote,"Ligeia" and the "Fall of the House of Usher." He also enlisted into the US Military Academy at West Point, New York where he excelled in languages. He was expelled not even a year later for neglecting his duties.

In 1836 he married his 13 year old cousin Virginia Clem who contributed works to the "Southern Literary Messenger."

In 1841 he became the editor of "Graham's Magazine."

In 1843 he wrote "The Golden Bug" which won him recognition.

In 1845 he wrote "The Raven." People were angry at him for possible plagiarism against Henry Wadsworth.

In 1846 he wrote "The Cask of Amontillado" and "The Philosophy of Composition."

In 1847 Virginia Poe, Edgar's daughter, died of tuberculosis.

In 1848 he wrote "Eureka: A Prose Poem." He was sickly at that time.

In 1849 he became engaged to Sarah Elmira Royster Shelton and on way to the wedding, he stopped in Boston. On October 3, he was found unconscious outside of a tavern, and died just 3 days later, of unknown causes.

I got this information and images from...

Celine's Original Backgrounds. http://www.specialweb.com/original/bgrounds1.html. Accessed on April 21, 2003.

"Edgar Allan Poe." World Book Encyclopedia. Chicago: World Book Inc., 2000.

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site. "Edgar Allan Poe: An Outline of His Life and Selected Works." http://www.nps.gov/edal/overview.htm. Accessed on April 21, 2003.

back to Poetry, Poets, and Interests

back to JCMS Home Page

Last Updated on: April 21, 2003