Poe had an unstable family life. The insecure place he held at home interfered with his emotional stability. He was born as the son of actors. "The two were not notably talented; they played minor roles in third-rate theatrical companies." (Buranalli 7) Between them they barely managed to make a living. Poe was the second of their three children. About the time the third child was born, the father died, or disappeared, and Mrs. Poe went to Richmond, Virginia with the two youngest children. The oldest child, William Henry, had been left in the care of his grandparents in Baltimore shortly after his birth. Mrs. Poe was overtaken by a fatal illness (tuberculosis). Devastated by the disease and worn out with the struggle to support her children, she died. Edgar, two years old, and the infant, Ros

After Virginia's death Poe became even more depressed and temperamental. He slept with many women in a vain attempt to find comfort for the loss of his wife. In 1849 he re-met his high school sweetheart, Elmira. They became engaged. After making wedding plans, he set out for New York City from Richmond, but disappeared in Baltimore. He was found five days after he disappeared very near death. He died without regaining full consciousness, four days later on October 7, 1849, ten days before the date he had set for his wedding.

Nevertheless, his reputation brought him little money, and the family remained desperately poor. Few free-lance writers can make a living by writing only; most depend upon editorial and other positions. Poe worked briefly on the Evening Mirror, the Broadway Journal, and wrote a series of sketches for Godey's Lady's Book. He was successful in getting such editorial jobs, but he never held them long. "Alcoholism and mounting mental disorder made Poe quarrelsome and unreasonable." (Carlson 209) He was known to often have outbursts of senseless rage. His childish tantrums and his hostile verbal attacks offended the very persons who could have helped him most in his career.

It is known that Poe was the originator of the American short story. There had been other short works of fiction, but Poe perfected the short story as an art form. Jules Verne, Rudyard Kipling, and Conan Doyle were all influenced by his writing. Poe was most popular for his detective stories. No one has outdone him in creating an atmosphere of morbid horror in such tales as "The Pit and the Pendulum" and "The Tell-Tale Heart". It is sad that, though his talent was recognized and appreciated, he was never in very good financial state.

Mr. Allan was cold to Poe and it was seldom that they got along. Poe was eager to escape the Allan house, and was relived when he was sent off to the University of Virginia. His foster father provided him with considerably less than the amount necessary to pay his way. In order to maintain his position he began to gamble heavily, this only led him to greater debt. By the end of the year he owed 2,500 dollars. He was nervous and unstable, and he began to drink. Mr. Allan's pride and thrift could not tolerate such conduct. Without delay, he pulled Poe out of the University and set him to work at a lowly, routine job in his counting house. Poe despised his job and his foster father, so he left home.

Poe was taken into the home of John Allan, a wealthy merchant. His wife, Frances Allan, had no children and wanted to adopt Poe as her son. Mr. Allan was unwilling to commit himself to a step of such permanence. "The acting profession was despised at the time and was even considered immoral." (Meyers 11) Mr.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1863
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)