Edgar Allan Poe

1. Provide the following biographical information: birthdate; birthplace; death date.

• Birthdate- January 19, 1809
• Birthplace- Boston
• Death Date- October 7, 1849- at the age of 40

   

2. What tragic childhood events influenced his writing?

Poe’s parents died within three years of his birth. He then moved in with a wealthy tobacco merchant by the name of John Allan where he wrote poetry on the back of ledger sheets. Many of his relatives died when he was young.

3. There are 13 theories on what caused Poe’s death. List five of them.

1. beating
2. diabetes
3. murder
4. carbon monoxide poisoning
5. delirium tremens

4. According to the Edgar Allan Poe Museum, what state did Poe call home?

• Richmond

5. What does the Poe Society of Baltimore think about this claim?

They think that Baltimore defines the beginning and end of his life, and that most of the very important things in life happened in Baltimore. His roots were set in Baltimore and it is there where his legend lives on fully.

6. What famous military academy expelled Poe in 1831?

That military academy was The United States Military Academy at West Point.

7. Who did Poe marry? How old was she?

Poe married his cousin Virginia Clemm, who was 13 years old.

8. What do you think about the marriage?

I think that she was too young, even if back then age differences didn’t matter that much, 27 and 13 is too large of an age gap. And since they are cousins, it makes the situation more controversial.

9. What is “Murders in the Rue Morgue” the first of?

“Murders in the Rue Morgue” was one of the first modern detective stories.

10. When was the  “Tell-Tale Heart” and the “Black Cat” written?

They were written in 1843.

I don't have any experience with Poe personally, however my friend did a project on him on middle school, I know some of his quotes such as "All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream." (my friend actually gave me a necklace with that on it.) I'm really interested to read some of his stories and poems because they seem really cool and I like the whole kind of "creepy" genre they are.

Picture of Poe:

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