Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe's dark, scary stories have long sent chills down the spines of his readers. For much of his life, Poe struggled with depression, alcoholism, constant illness, and uncontrollable fits of rage. ( Meltzer) He suffered tremendously when he lost the two women he loved most; his mother, who died when Poe was very young, and later, his young wife. Poe struggled to become recognized as a distinguished writer. However, true fame and success did not come for Poe until after his tragic death. ( Meltzer) This paper will not only provide the reader with a basic biography of Poe's life, but it will investigate how the author's own life impacted his writing style.

The life of Edgar Allan Poe, has been consumed with many unfortunate events I speculate that it was these experiences that helped to formulate the famous writing style of Edgar Allan Poe. Poe was born in 1809 to an aspiring actor and actress named David and Eliza Poe.

Edgar Allan Poe Museum (Richmond, Virginia)

Edgar Allan Poe's house in the Bronx. Photo taken ...

Virginia Poe watercolor painted after her death in...

( Meltzer) Poe was still a toddler, when both of his parents died. Though he was not close with his father, he was very attached to his mother who died from Tuberculosis on December 8, 1811. Poe was often quoted as saying "This could have been considered one of the most miserable days of my life, as my sister and I watched our mother lie motionless in a boardinghouse in Richmond, Virginia. Too ill to lift her head and unable to utter a single dying word to her children, we watched as our mother slipped away into eternity. Even though I was a mere child, death has engraved a lasting image into my tormented soul." ( Meltzer)

After the loss of both of his parents, Poe and his siblings were split up into separate foster homes.