Edgar Poe
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Edgar Allan Poe is a great American writer and poet.
He was also an editor, critic and creator of the detective fiction genre in literature.
A representative of American Romanticism.
Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, USA.
His parents, actors of a traveling troupe, died when Edgar was only two years old.
Edgar's mother, Elizabeth Arnold Poe, was English, Edgar's father, David Poe— was an American of Irish descent.
The boy was adopted and adopted by a wealthy merchant from Virginia, John Allan.
Childhood
Edgar's childhood was spent in an environment quite rich.
The Allans spared no expense for his upbringing, and although sometimes their affairs were unsuccessful (sometimes they even threatened bankruptcy), the boy did not feel this: he was dressed "like a prince", he had his own horse, his own dogs.
When Edgar was six years old, the Allans went to England and sent the boy to an expensive boarding school in London, where he studied for five years.
After the Allans returned to the United States in 1820, Edgar entered college in Richmond, from which he graduated in 1826.
Edgar was sent to finish his education at the University in Richmond, then newly founded.
Edgar developed early: at the age of five, he read, drew, wrote, recited, rode horseback.
At school, he studied well, acquired a large stock of knowledge in literature, especially English and Latin, in general history, in mathematics, in some branches of natural science, such as astronomy, physics.
Physically, Edgar was strong, participated in all the pranks of his comrades, and at the university in all their carousals.
The character of the future poet from childhood was uneven, passionate, impetuous.
Many strange things were noted in his behavior.
From an early age, Edgar wrote poetry, was fond of fantastic plans, loved to make psychological experiments on himself and others.
Conscious of his superiority, he let others feel it.
The life of wealth ended for Edgar when he was not even 17 years old.
He stayed at the university for only a year.
In the autumn of 1826, there was a break between John Allan and his adopted son.
Now it is difficult to find out who was "to blame".
There is evidence unfavorable to Edgar.
For example, it is confirmed that he forged bills with the signature of John Allan, that once, drunk, he said rude things to him, swung a stick at him, etc.
On the other hand, it is not known what the brilliant young man suffered from a rich patron (John Allan received an unexpected inheritance that turned him into a millionaire), alien to the issues of art and poetry.
Apparently, only Mrs. Allan sincerely loved Edgar, and her husband had long been dissatisfied with the eccentric foster child.
The reason for the quarrel was that Allan refused to pay Edgar's gambling debts.
The young man considered them "debts of honor" and saw no other way to save this "honor" than to leave the rich house where he was brought up.
Youth
For Edgar Poe, a wandering life began.
After leaving the Allan house, he went to his native Boston, where, under the pseudonym "Bostonian", he published a collection of poems "Tamerlane and Other Poems", which was never published.
This publication probably absorbed all the savings of the young man.
Having no shelter, he decided to take a steep step — and entered the army as a soldier under an assumed name.
He served for about a year, was in good standing with his superiors and even received the rank of sergeant major.
At the beginning of 1828, however, the poet could not stand his situation and turned to his foster father, asking for help, and probably expressed remorse.
John Allan, perhaps at the request of his wife, took pity on the young man, paid for the hiring of a deputy and procured Edgar's release.
But when Edgar arrived in Richmond, he no longer found his patroness: Mrs. Allan had died a few days before (February 28, 1829).
Having received his freedom, Poe turned back to poetry.
He visited Baltimore again and met his paternal relatives there — his sister, grandmother, Uncle George Poe and his son Nelson Poe.
The latter could introduce Edgar to the editor of the local newspaper, William Gwyn.
Through Gwyn, Edgar got the opportunity to turn to the then prominent New York writer John Neal.
The aspiring poet presented his poems to both Gwyn and Neil.
The review, with all the reservations, was the most favorable.
The result was that at the end of 1829, a collection of Poe's poems was published for the second time in Baltimore under his name, entitled "Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Small Poems".
This time the book arrived in stores and in the editorial office, but it went unnoticed.
Meanwhile, John Allan insisted that Edgar finish his education.
It was decided that he would enter the Military Academy at West Point.
In March 1830, at the request of Allan, Edgar was still accepted as a student, although he was not suitable for age.
His foster father signed a commitment for him to serve in the army for five years.
Edgar reluctantly went to the academy.
He could not leave its walls in a normal manner.
With his usual fervor, he took up the case and managed to get him expelled in March 1831.
With this, the young poet regained his freedom, but, of course, he again quarreled with John Allan.
From West Point, Edgar Poe went to New York, where he hurried to publish a third collection of poems, called, however, the "second edition": "Poems of Edgar A. Poe.
Second edition".
The funds for the publication were collected by subscription; many comrades from the academy subscribed, expecting that they would find in the book those poetic pamphlets and epigrams on professors for which the student Allan Poe became known at school.
But they had to be disappointed.
There were no buyers for the book, priced at two and a half dollars.
In 1831, he had to turn to his foster father to give out cash benefits.
But they were extremely insignificant.
Poe married his thirteen year old cousin, Virginia Klemm.
Her early death influenced some of the poet's works.
From the autumn of 1831 to the autumn of 1833 — the most difficult period for Edgar Poe.
In the summer of 1831, Edgar lived in Baltimore with his aunt Mrs. Klemm — the mother of that Virginia, who later became the poet's wife.
Since the autumn of 1831, his traces have been lost.
By the end of this period, Poe had reached extreme poverty.
There is no doubt that the young poet worked a lot during these years.
He wrote a number of short stories — the best in the early period of his work.
In the fall of 1833, the Baltimore Weekly announced a competition for the best short story and the best poem.
Poe sent six short stories and an excerpt in verse "The Colosseum".
The jury members unanimously recognized both the story and the poems of Edgar Poe as the best.
However, not considering it possible to give two prizes to the same person, only the story "The Manuscript Found in a Bottle" was awarded, for which the author was given one hundred dollars.
The money arrived in time.
The author was literally starving.
1830s — 1840s
In the period from 1833 to 1840, the author published many poems and short stories, worked in the magazines "Southern Literary Messenger" in Richmond.
In 1841-1843, he lived with his family in a suburb in Philadelphia and worked in the magazines "Burton's Gentleman's Magazine "and"Graham's Magazine".
In Philadelphia, Edgar Poe also intended to publish his own magazine " The Stylus "(or "The Penn"), but this idea failed.
However, soon a serious test awaited him.
Virginia's blood vessel burst after singing and she was near death (she was ill with tuberculosis).
In addition, in 1846, the New York magazine "Broadway Journal", with which he collaborated, closed, and Po lost his livelihood.
The disastrous life resumed.
The last years of his life
The last years of Poe's life, 1847-1849, were years of tossing, half madness, high successes, sad falls and constant slander of enemies.
Virginia, dying, took an oath from Mrs. Shew, Edgar's friend, never to leave him.
Poe was still captivated by women, imagined that he was in love, there was even talk of marriage.
In life, he behaved strangely, but he managed to publish several more brilliant works.
But the illness was already destroying the poet's life; the fits of alcoholism became more and more painful, the nervousness increased almost to a mental disorder.
Mrs. Shew, who could not understand the poet's painful condition, found it necessary to withdraw from his life.
In the autumn of 1849, the end came.
Full of chimerical projects, considering himself a new groom, Edgar Poe gave a lecture on the "Poetic Principle"in Richmond in September of this year with great success.
Poe left Richmond with $ 1,500 in his pocket.
What happened next remained a mystery.
Maybe the poet fell under the influence of his illness; maybe the robbers drugged him.
Poe was found unconscious, robbed.
He was brought to Baltimore, where Poe died in a hospital on October 7, 1849.
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Comments on: VKontakte (45)
Ordinary (22)
67 comment.
to " Biography”
Tatiana - Aug 24, 2010 | To answer
All geniuses are not recognized by the people…
All geniuses are subject to vices…
All geniuses are like this…
All geniuses end up like this…
[Reply]
very interesting - May 16, 2011 | To answer
great biography!!
[Reply]
trumber..)
- May 31, 2011 | To answer
Guys, give me a link where you can find out more about his secret admirer who comes to his cemetery every year!
[Reply]
Anastasia Arkadyevna Goncharuk - June 11, 2011 | To answer
http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A2%D0%B0%D0%B9%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B9_%D0%BF%D0%BE%D0%BA%D0%BB%D0%BE%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%BA_%D0%AD%D0%B4%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B0_%D0%9F%D0%BE For trumber..)  [Reply]
NORD - Jan 7, 2012 | Reply
Well, yes, everything is as usual…
Wandering, alcoholism and grandiose projects…
Lack of money and an overabundance of ideas...
Although, it seems to me that this may be better than the other way around…
It's more fun to live like this…
[Reply]
Anastasiya - Jan 28, 2012 | Reply
in 2010, 2011, and 2012, an unknown fan did not appear at the grave of Edgar Poe.
[Reply]
dRon - Mar 9, 2012 | Reply
maybe he died
[Reply]
Mareritt - Mar 19, 2012 | Reply
Tell me, where can I read about the identity of his wife?
The only thing I know about Virginia is the dates of birth and death and that her image probably influenced the images of typical heroines - supernaturally gifted, slowly fading women.
I would really like to know more about her personality and character.
I couldnot find any information on this question myself.
[Reply]
dRon - Mar 19, 2012 | Reply
Here's a little bit: http://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CF%EE,_%C2%E8%F0%E4%E6%E8%ED%E8%FF_%DD%EB%E8%E7%E0_%CA%EB%E5%EC%EC
In English: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=33076902
[Reply]
Mareritt - Mar 20, 2012 | Reply
Yes, I read this info) But it just doesnot say anything about personality traits…
I wonder if she was as educated and gifted as Ligeia or Morella?
[Reply]
Reno - Apr 17, 2012 / Reply
A curious movie was released — the RAVEN.
About Edgard Poe, about his death and his stories.
A certain theory of his life.
[Reply]
Yara Apr 17, 2012 / Reply
I watched the movie "The Raven".
Of course, I'm a little disappointed with the cheapness of the scenery, and the plot resembles (especially stylistically) the notorious "Sherlock Holmes" with Robert Downey Jr., but John Cusack plays great!
I just fell in love with his special "Po" once again.
A good version of the writer's death, which in reality has remained unknown.
[Reply]
sToa - Apr 20, 2012 / Reply
The film is not bad enough, however, it is worth noting that the similarity with the biography of Mr. Poe is minimal, if at all present.
This can be treated simply as a "movie".
[Reply]
Little Bitch - Jul 5, 2012 | Reply
Anyway, Cusack is good.
And I started to reread the Software after this movie.
I think I'm not the only one.
Although, of course, there was no maniac to blame for Po's death.
I got drunk simply, with whom it is not necessary, from loneliness and as a result of heavy pockets.
It happens that way.
They coveted easy money.
[Reply]
Vera Sep 4, 2012 | Reply
Read Louis Bayard's book "The All Seeing Eye", there is a fascinating description of the period of Edgar Poe's training at the West Point Military Academy.
[Reply]
Lora Sep 7, 2012 / Reply
I read this book.
A brilliant invention.
[Reply]
gj Oct 30, 2012 / Reply
copy paste from wikipedia
[Reply] dRon replied: October 30th, 2012 at 12: 48 pm K. O.
[Reply]
Sanya Nov 17, 2012 / Reply
Poe friends, give me an idea, in which films (not film adaptations) are the ideas of Edgar Poe embodied?
[Reply]
MISTY - Jun 6, 2013 | Reply
Please tell me if there is a biography in the books, and if there is, who is the author (s)?
[Reply]
MISTY - Jun 6, 2013 | Reply
Please tell me if there is a biography in the books, and if there is, who is the author (s)?
[Reply]
Katerina - Jan 3, 2016 | Reply
The version of death described here is not correct.
Poe found a man lying on the street in Baltimore, on October 3, 1849, and a few days later he died in the hospital.
Information from the Museum of E. Po in Richmond
[Reply]
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