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Biography Of Edgar Allen Poe

Biography of Edgar Allen Poe


Edgar Allen Poe was one of the most successful writers of all time.   He
is known for his tales of the mysterious and macabre.   He is reported to be the
first master of the short story form (Edgar Allen Poe).   About 12 of his works
are known for their flawless literary construction.   Poe had a rough childhood
which definitely contributed to his writing.
Poe was born in January 19th of 1809 in Boston.   Poe was the son of
David Poe, an actor and Eliza Poe, an actress.   Poe also had a sister.   At age
three Poe was orphaned when he father disappeared one night and never returned
and his mother died of tuberculosis.   Poe then went to a foster house where he
was adopted by John and Fanny Allen.   Poe then at age six moved to England where
he attended private schools.
As a teen Poe was very gifted in foreign language.   He wrote some of his
early works in both French an Latin.   At age fifteen Poe had already written
enough works to publish a book but John would not allow it.   Poe was also very
fit as a teen.   Poe was supposedly a very fast swimmer and runner.   It is
reported that Poe once as a teen swam the James river from Lundhams Wharf to
Warwick Bar which is six miles against a strong current (Woodberry 20).   At 15
Poe was the Lieutenant of the Junior Morgan Riflemen.   Poe was then reviewed by
the famous Marquis De Lafayette.   Poe's grandfather General Poe is where Poe
most likely got his military influence from.
In 1826 Poe enrolled into the University of Virginia.   Poe wanted to
become a translator.   Poe was considered to be "precisely correct" (Moldavia).
Poe also loved debating.   The student life at the University of Virginia in 1826
was very chaotic.   In one student riot the students threw bottles and bricks at
the professors. In Poe's letters to John Allen he often talked of violence on
campus.   He once wrote of how a student was struck on the head with a stone and
then pulled out a gun and killed his attacker(Moldavia).
By the...