The Legend That All Other Horror Writers Measure Themselves Against

Poe’s Early History

Mother’s death was the first of multiple abandonments Eliza Poe He was widely regarded as a genius – but tortured in his private life. Frances Allan Poe did not have a positive male role model growing up.

Back in Baltimore Though Poe experienced more than his share of troubled moments, he never stopped writing. He was also a successful editor and in 1834 had a somewhat steady income.

 His cousin Virginia ( ) was his only true love. He married her when she was barely thirteen.

 Virginia’s family was very much in favor of the marriage, and, by all accounts, the marriage was happy.  A few years later, Poe was fired from his job due to his alcohol problem.  He and his mother-in-law begged for money.  Virginia became fatally ill.  Poe never recovered from her death.

 Poe died only two years after Virginia.  There is mystery surrounding his death, but there is no doubt he was living in poverty and had an addiction problem.

 There was a duality to Poe’s personality. He was an idealist and a visionary.  He was also charming and quite personable.  Unfortunately, he had a very sensitive nature.  He was an insomniac.  He suffered from harrowing nightmares that influenced his writing and his art.

 The atmosphere in his stories is unparalleled in American fiction.  He is an American master.  Other horror writers compare themselves to Poe and usually fall short.