Biography & Work Analysis of Edgar Poe
Biography & Work Analysis of Edgar PoeMany authors have made great contributions to the world of
literature. Mark Twain introduced Americans to life on the
Mississippi. Thomas Hardy wrote on his pessimistic views of the
Victorian Age. Another author that influenced literature is Edgar
Allan Poe. Poe is known as the father of the American short story and
father of the detective story. To understand the literary
contributions of Edgar Allan Poe, one must look at his early life,
his literary life, and a summary of two of his famous works.
"Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston'' (Inglis 505) "on January
19, 1809'' (Asselineau 409). He was born to a southern family that
were in a traveling company of actors (Inglis 505). His father, David
Poe, was from a Baltimore family. He was an actor by profession and a
heavy drinker. Soon after Edgar Allan Poe was born, he left his
family. Poe's mother, Elizabeth Arnold Poe, was a widow at the age of
eighteen. Two years after his birth, she died of tuberculosis
(Asselineau 409). When his mother died, Poe was adopted by John Allan
(Perry XI) at the urging of Mr. Allan's wife. In 1815, John Allan
moved his family to England. While there, Poe was sent to private
schools (Asselineau 410).
In the spring of 1826, Poe entered the University of Virginia.
There he studied Spanish, French, Italian, and Latin. He had an
excellent scholastic record. He got into difficulties almost at once.
Mr. Allan did not provide him with the money to pay for his fees and
other necessities. Poe was confused and homesick. He learned to play
cards and started drinking. Soon he was in debt in excess of two
thousand dollars. Poe discovered that he could not depend upon Allan
for financial support. His foster father refused to pay his debts,
and Poe had to withdraw from the University (Asselineau 410).
In May of 1827, Poe enlisted in the army as a common soldier.
He did this under the name of Edgar A. Perry. He was stationed on
Sullivan's Island in Charleston Harbor for over a year. Poe adapted
very well to military discipline and quickly rose to the rank of
regimental sergeant major. After a while, he got tired of the same
daily routine involved in military life. Poe wrote regularly to Mr.
Allan. He met with Mr. Allan after the death of Mrs. Allan in
February of 1829. With Allan's support, he received his discharge and
enlisted in West Point on July 1, l830 (Asselineau 410). While at
West Point, Mr. Allan, who had remarried, continued in not providing
Poe with enough money. Poe decided to have himself kicked out of
school. Cutting classes and disregarding orders were his solutions.
He was court-martialed for neglect of duties in January, 1831, and
left West Point the following month (Asselineau 411)....
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