Edgar Allan Poe: "Father of the Detective Story"

1. Edgar Allan Poe:"Father of the Detective Story" American short-story writer, poet, critic, and editor

2. Early Life • Born January 19, 1809 in Boston, MA • Never really knew his parents; father left the family early on, and his mother passed away when he was only three • Lived with John and Frances Allan, a successful tobacco merchant and his wife, in Richmond, Virginia • Money was an issue

3. Early Career • Wrote first book then joined army but was kicked out for “poor handling of duties” • Focused on writing full-time • Stayed in Baltimore with his aunt Maria Clemm and her daughter Virginia, who became a literary inspiration to Poe as well as his love interest • Married in 1836 when she was about 13 • Worked for a magazine called the Southern Literary Messenger; known as a cut-throat critic

4. Works • Published "The Raven” • unknown narrator laments the demise of his great love Lenore; deals with death and loss…. Ring a bell? • Narrative poem: setting, characters, dialogue, conflict and resolution • Uses several allusions to Bible and Greek mythology • Has an issue with Longfellow; claimed he was a plagiarist; Longfellow strikes back with criticism • Gained reputation as a sarcastic critic

5. Death • Grief-stricken after the death of his beloved Virginia in 1847; suffered from poor health and struggled financially • Final days remain somewhat of a mystery… • Left Richmond on September 27, 1849, and was supposedly on his way to Philadelphia; on October 3, was found in Baltimore in great distress; was taken to Washington College Hospital where he died on October 7. His last words were "Lord, help my poor soul." • At the time, it was said that Poe died of "congestion of the brain" • But his actual COD is speculated; alcoholism, rabies, epilepsy, carbon monoxide poisoning are just some of the conditions thought to have led to the great writer's death. • Obituary criticized Poe, portraying him as a womanizer and drunkard