Many authors have made great contributions to the would of literature. 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.
Edgar Allan Poe was born in Boston on January 19, 1809. He was born into poverty. His parents, David Poe and Elizabeth Arnold Poe were poverty struck parents. Two years after Poe was born his mother died from tuberculosis. Poe then had to be put up for adoption. He was adopted by John Allan.
In the spring of 1826, Poe entered the University of Virginia. He did not have money to support himself and his adoptive father, John Allan, whould not help him with his finances. Poe began to drink and gamble his money away. He could not pay tuition and had to withdraw from the University.
Edgar Allan Poe Museum (Richmond, Virginia)
English: Edgar Allan Poe.
English:In May of 1827, Poe enlisted in the army. He eventually got tired of the daily routine and got kicked out of the army.
Poe then moved to New York where he was unsuccessful. In the summer of 1838, he moved to Philadelphia, he worked as the editor of both Buron's Gentleman Magazine and Graham's Magazine. The year of 1845 was a good year for Poe. He published "The Raven" and other stories that caught the eyes of people. In 1849 Poe broke down when his wife Virginia died and he too died.
English: Cropped image from the famous E.A. Poe da...
English: Grave stone of Eliza Poe, mother of Edgar...
English: miniature of Eliza Poe, mother of Edgar A...