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**EDGAR ALLAN POE **

Edgar Allan Poe was a man who cannot be easily defined. He was brilliant, yet had many inner demons that constantly hindered his success. Born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts, he was orphaned shortly after. His father never stuck around and his mother died when he was very young. His Aunt and Uncle, the Allan’s, took him in and raised him in Richmond, Virginia. Though they acted as his parents, they never formally adopted him. Much of Poe’s troubles in his life could be credited to his irregular childhood, the fact he was never given a fair chance in life. He tried to attend the University of Virginia, but unfortunately could not keep affording tuition and was forced to drop out. He also enlisted in the military for a short span of time, but after being discharged he also lost the support of his Uncle and was completely alone. Because of this Poe had many torrid love affairs. He married his young cousin, Virginia Clemm, but she died at a young age of tuberculosis. Death seemed to follow Poe around like a shroud, and this is probably the reason for the gothic elements of all his works.

His works were not always as popular as they are now. He first tried his hand at poems, but did not find much success. He then started writing dramas and a short novel, the narrative of //Arthur Gordon Prym of Nantucket//. He finally found success at short stories and had a few published in newspapers and periodicals. Though he had many short jobs at newspapers, he was always fired for his quick temper or his habit of indulging in alcohol. He never made much money as a writer and the money he did make went to his vices. It would be interesting to see how he would react to his post-humous success. He was found delirious in May of 1849, in Baltimore Maryland. He died shortly after of mysterious circumstances.