edgar allan poe

1809. His parents were David and Elizabeth Poe. Both of which were actors. However, his

father was unsuccessful in his acting and also drank very heavily. (The New Book of Knowledge,

Shortly after Edgar's birth, the Poe's moved to New York where Edgar's father, David

either died or deserted them. Mrs. Poe was left alone with Edgar and some time after gave birth

to a daughter. Despite Mrs. Poe's failing health, she continued with her acting career. In the

winter of 1811, her health worsened and on December 8th, she died of tuberculosis. At this time,

Edgar was two years old and he was taken into the home of John Allan, a wealthy Richmond

merchant, while her daughter was given to Mr. and Mrs. William Mackenzie. The Allan's and

Mackenzie's were close friends and neighbors.

While staying in the Allan's home, Edgar's nurse often took him to the servants courters

to listen to ghost stories. These stories were the first inspirations for his strange tales he later

wrote. (WWW.pambytes.com/poe/bio.html)

Edgar began school in Richmond at an early age. In 1815 the family sailed to England

known. An election was in progress, and evidence points to the fact that he began to drink and

P. Kennedy who helped him become Editor of the Southern Literary Messenger in Richmond.

He attended several different boarding schools before returning back to

publish some of his poems. Still in need of money Poe was forced into the United States Army on

living in Baltimore and Mr. Allan gave him from time to time small amounts of money, just

was one of the first men in America to understand the possibility of modern journalism from a

to Philadelphia, which was at that time the publishing center of the United States. After the