Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe
Although very few authors have been written about as often as Poe, little is known of his whereabouts for months, or his activities and their motives (Stedman).Edgar Allan Poe is one of the most remarkable and distinguished writers in the history of American Literature. Poe made many contributions to the American Literature world. He was one of the earliest persons to write short stories. Most scholars consider Poe to be the inventor of the style of writing known as detective fiction. Likewise, he also receives credit for contributing to science fiction stories. The public recognizes Poe for his ghastly and inexplicable stories of mystery (Mabbott).   Poe was the first American Author that tried to make of living through writing alone. This resulted in hardships and struggles for Poe for he did not make a “decent” living off his writings.
Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts to Elizabeth Arnold Poe and David Poe Jr., who were both working in the acting industry. Edgar grew up in a “normal” household. He moved to Scotland and England during the years of 1815-1820 to get a classical education (Mabbott). He moved back to Richmond with his family so that he could continue his education. When Poe was 17 years of age, he attended the University of Virginia. He only attended this college for 11 months because he was an ardent gambler. Not a very good gambler, though. The losses he had from gambling caused many hardships in Poe’s life, along with his avid and habitual alcohol problems that he endured throughout his entire life (Thompson). Having quit school, Poe had no job, forcing him to join the Army. After he realized that the army ‘wasn’t for him”, Poe moved on to New York City. This is where Poe would formally begin his writing career (Mabbott).
Poe married his 13-year old cousin in 1835 but she died 12 years later in 1847. Poe, just as any person would if they lost a spouse, was heartbroken. This experience led to...