January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849

 American poet, short story writer, literary critic, and editor  Known for his tales of mystery and stories about the strange  Considered to be the inventor of the detective-fiction genre

 Born in Boston, Massachusetts  Father left, Mother died of Tuberculosis when Poe was 2

 Taken in by John and Frances Allan  Moved to Richmond, Virginia

 Poe attended the University of Virginia.  UVA was in its first years and was chaotic.  Strict rules about gambling  Poe dropped out because of gambling habits.

 Poe enlisted in the military in 1827  Joined the Army  Served at Fort Independence in Boston for $5 a month  1829 – Poe was discharged from the military and went to West Point Military Academy  1831 – Poe was discharged from West Point  He later started his publishing career

 Publisher  Literary Critic  Editor

 Poe was married in Baltimore in  He married Virginia Clemm  She was 13 years old; He was 26  She was also his first cousin

 Virginia died in 1847, two years after “The Raven” was published  She also died of tuberculosis  She was 25 years old

 On October 7, 1849 Poe died in Baltimore, MD  He was 40 years old

 No one knows the actual reason that Poe died. He was found incoherent on a Baltimore street. Two days later, he died.  Some theories include:  Alcohol  Brain Congestion (swelling)  Cholera  Drugs  Heart Disease  Rabies  Suicide  Tuberculosis