Basic+Information

Edgar Allan Poe's childhood was extremely different than most childhoods in the 21st century. In 1809 Elizabeth Poe gave birth to Edgar. She was a working actress and a single mother after she and her husband got a divorce. At two years old Edgar learned the sorrow of having a parent die when his mother past away. Edgar and his sister and brother were seperated when Edgar was adopted by the John Allan and his wife and Edgar's siblings were taken in by others. This was a somber start to a new life.
 * The Early Years **



Edgar's education and military days had their ups and downs. Edgar attended school in England for 5 years. He then moved to America and continued his studies. At 17 years old Edgar attended the University of Virginia in 1826. Edgar did very well in school but John Allan did not give Edgar enough money. The drinking problems Edgar soon attained caused him to be in debt so he had to quit school. With no money, diploma, or job experience, Edgar joined the army. It was army in 1827 and when he was 18. Doing well in the army earned Edgar the rank of a sergeant major. The adoptive mother of Edgar died years later so John Allan attempted to help Edgar out by signing his application to West Point. After John later upset Edgar, Edgar did badly in the army so he would be dismissed. That was the end of Edgar's military career.
 * Education and the MIlitary **



= Women in Edgar's Life = ==== Edgar's life was full of inspiring women. Elizabeth Poe, Edgar's biological mother died when he was young. His adoptive mother, Frances Allan, was always a better mother than John Allan was a father. Edgar loved Frances very much and she spoiled him a bit as well. Unfortunately Frances died in 1829 when Edgar was 20 years old. Poe was very interested in several different women when he was older. Mrs. Charles Richmond, Sarah Helen Whitman, and Sarah Elmira Shelton all wheedled their way into Edgar's life. Although he had been with many women in his life, most people agree that Edgar's true love was his sweet, young, and innocent wife, Virginia Young was his true love. ====



One woman in Edgar's life were more important to him more than the other women he knew, Virginia Clemm. In 1836, at just 13 years of age, Virginia married Edgar who was 27 at the time. Virginia was known as "Poe's Child Wife" as opposed to Mrs. Edgar Allan Poe. She suffered from Tuberculosis. Her moral support was not as good Edgar would have liked it to be but he saw a great beauty in his wife that he adored. The two of them loved eachother deeply. Virginia is said to be the love of Edgar's life. Some believe that Edgar and Virginia were in love the way most couples are and others think that Edgar and Virginia were more like best friends. Either way, no other girl was loved by Edgar than Virginia was. Unfortunately, in 1847 Virginia's tuberculosis took over and she died. It was a tragic time in poor Edgar's life.
 * Edgar's Loveliest Lady **

= Before Becoming a Published Poet and Author = ==== After Edgar was dismissed from the military he was a struggling writer. He did not have a job and he was not doing very well financially. Edgar submitted a number of stories to different magazines but they were all rejected. Because Edgar still was not making money, he asked John Allan for help but John ignored his plea. When John died the next year, his will said nothing about Edgar. Luckily, the year after John's death, Edgar managed to get his first job as an editor. Things seemed like they were finally starting to look up for Edgar. ====