1. Edgar Allan Poe 1809-1849 American Gothicism

2. Edgar Allan Poe  Poe was born in Boston in 1809, the son of impoverished traveling actors.  A three years later his father abandoned them, and his mother died of tuberculosis.  This sight would have a great impression upon young Poe, transmuting itself into later fictional forms.  Poe was born in Boston in 1809, the son of impoverished traveling actors.  A three years later his father abandoned them, and his mother died of tuberculosis.  This sight would have a great impression upon young Poe, transmuting itself into later fictional forms.

3. Edgar Allan Poe  Poe was a young man of vices. This trend would be a constant theme throughout his life.  He was a drinker and gambler  Poe was a young man of vices. This trend would be a constant theme throughout his life.  He was a drinker and gambler

4. Edgar Allan Poe  Gambling and alcohol would eventually lead to Poe’s expulsion from the University of Virginia.  In 1827, Poe joined the army under an assumed name-Edgar Perry.  Gambling and alcohol would eventually lead to Poe’s expulsion from the University of Virginia.  In 1827, Poe joined the army under an assumed name-Edgar Perry.

5. Edgar Allan Poe  Oddly enough, this is where Poe began his writing career.  While at West Point he composed his first pieces: Israfel, as well as Tamerlane and Other Poems.  Oddly enough, this is where Poe began his writing career.  While at West Point he composed his first pieces: Israfel, as well as Tamerlane and Other Poems.

6. Edgar Allan Poe  Due to academic violations, Poe got himself expelled from West Point. Ouch!!  This, when coupled with his prior expulsion, resulted in an irreparable separation from his uncle.  Due to academic violations, Poe got himself expelled from West Point. Ouch!!  This, when coupled with his prior expulsion, resulted in an irreparable separation from his uncle.

7. Edgar Allan Poe  Poe went on to pursue literary careers across the northeast in places such as--New York, Richmond, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.  He worked as editor for multiple literary publications.  Southern Literary Messenger  Graham’s Magazine  Broadway Journal  Poe went on to pursue literary careers across the northeast in places such as--New York, Richmond, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.  He worked as editor for multiple literary publications.  Southern Literary Messenger  Graham’s Magazine  Broadway Journal

8. Edgar Allan Poe  With limited success and publication, it was not until 1845 when Poe’s “The Raven” was met with widespread enthusiasm and acclaim.  He used his positions in publication to submit and publish his work.  With limited success and publication, it was not until 1845 when Poe’s “The Raven” was met with widespread enthusiasm and acclaim.  He used his positions in publication to submit and publish his work.

9. Edgar Allan Pout  No matter how much success he had late in his life, he could not be rescued from his bouts of depression & madness.  His wife endured a slow and painful death, also from Tuberculosis.  No matter how much success he had late in his life, he could not be rescued from his bouts of depression & madness.  His wife endured a slow and painful death, also from Tuberculosis.

10. Edgar Allan Poe  This prompted Poe to return to alcohol as a coping mechanism.  And, in 1848 he attempted suicide using laudanum.  From this point on, he fell in and out of obscurity.  This prompted Poe to return to alcohol as a coping mechanism.  And, in 1848 he attempted suicide using laudanum.  From this point on, he fell in and out of obscurity.

11. The Legacy of Poe  He came back to the limelight when he was found in Baltimore, unconscious, at a polling place.  He died four days later at the age of 40.  After his death, Poe’s work has been celebrated for its experimentation with poetic devices & macabre themes.  His stories have been the catalyst for movies and the inspiration for modern Gothic writers.  He came back to the limelight when he was found in Baltimore, unconscious, at a polling place.  He died four days later at the age of 40.  After his death, Poe’s work has been celebrated for its experimentation with poetic devices & macabre themes.  His stories have been the catalyst for movies and the inspiration for modern Gothic writers.