Joey Saves The Day!: Facts about Edgar Allan Poe

Learn Interesting Facts about

Edgar Allan Poe.

This week’s famous poet is Edgar Allan Poe. Last week’s famous poet was Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

Edgar Allan Poe, a celebrated figure in American literature, embarked on his poetic journey at a remarkably young age, likely before he reached the age of thirteen. Known for his masterful command of language and deep exploration of themes such as love, death, and the macabre, he crafted a diverse repertoire of over 50 poems throughout his life. Poe was born in the culturally rich city of Boston, Massachusetts, on January 19, 1809. He was the second child of Elizabeth Arnold Poe and David Poe Jr., both of whom were actors. Raised alongside his older brother, Henry, and his younger sister, Rosalie, Edgar faced numerous challenges from an early age, including the loss of his mother to tuberculosis when he was just three years old. This tragedy would profoundly influence his writing and worldview. Despite these hardships, Poe's early exposure to literature and the performing arts undoubtedly played a crucial role in shaping his unique voice and poetic style.

Here is a list of some poems by Edgar Allan Poe:

The Raven
A Dream Within A Dream
Alone
Bells
The Haunted Palace
A Valentine
The Sleeper
Dream-Land

Parents and caregivers, please ensure that the poems are appropriate for children before reading them.

Interesting facts about Edgar Allan Poe:

1. He was born on January 19, 1809, in the vibrant city of Boston, Massachusetts, a place known for its rich history and role in the American Revolution. Growing up in this bustling port city, he was surrounded by diverse cultures and ideas that would shape his future endeavors.

2. Edgar Allan Poe, an influential writer known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, tragically passed away at the young age of 40. His death occurred on October 7, 1849, a date that marked the end of a tumultuous life filled with both literary genius and personal struggles. After his passing, Poe was laid to rest at Westminster Presbyterian Church, which is part of Westminster Hall, located in the historic area of West Baltimore, Maryland. His final resting place has since become a site of homage for fans and scholars who pay tribute to the legacy of one of America's most celebrated authors.

3. One of Edgar Allan Poe’s most famous poem is:

Alone

Since childhood’s hour I have not been

As others were—I have not seen

As others saw—I could not bring

My passions from a common spring—

From the same source I have not taken

My sorrow—I could not awaken

My heart to joy at the same tone—

And all I lov’d—I lov’d alone—

Then—in my childhood—in the dawn

Of a most stormy life—was drawn

From ev’ry depth of good and ill

The mystery which binds me still—

From the torrent, or the fountain—

From the red cliff of the mountain—

From the sun that ’round me roll’d

In its autumn tint of gold—

From the lightning in the sky

As it pass’d me flying by—

From the thunder, and the storm—

And the cloud that took the form

(When the rest of Heaven was blue)

Of a demon in my view—

(You can print out a worksheet on this poem. You will fill in the missing words in the poem.)

4. Edgar Allan Poe, the renowned American writer known for his dark and mysterious tales, married his cousin, Virginia Eliza Clemm, on May 16, 1836. Their relationship was not only a romantic one but also deeply rooted in family ties, as Virginia was Poe's first cousin. Despite their close connection, their marriage faced numerous challenges. The couple remained childless throughout their union, which lasted until Virginia’s untimely death from tuberculosis in 1847. Their bond, characterized by love and profound loss, had a profound influence on both Poe's literary work and personal life.

5. In 1810, when Edgar Allan Poe was just a year old, his father abandoned the family, leaving them to face hardships without his support. Tragically, in the following year, Poe's mother succumbed to illness, further compounding the young boy's loss. During this tumultuous time, Poe was taken in by the affluent Allan family of Richmond, Virginia. John Allan and his wife, Frances, graciously adopted him and raised him as their own son, providing him with a stable home and the opportunity for education. Although he was never formally adopted and the relationship between Poe and John Allan would later become strained, this period in Poe's early life set the stage for his complex journey ahead.

6. Edgar Allan Poe, the renowned American writer and poet, uttered his final words, “Lord, help my poor soul,” before he breathed his last. He died on October 7, 1849, at Washington Medical College in Baltimore, Maryland, where he had been receiving treatment for four days following his mysterious and troubling decline in health. The attending physician, Dr. John J. Moran, attributed Poe's death to phrenitis, an inflammation of the brain. Poe's last days were shrouded in confusion and illness, raising questions about his final moments and the circumstances surrounding his tragic end. His passing marked the demise of a literary genius whose work has continued to resonate through the ages.

7. Edgar Allan Poe also wrote short stories. Here is a list of some of his stories:

The Fall of the House of Usher
The Black Cat
The Gold Bug
Tell-Tale Heart

8. Edgar Allan Poe received his early education in the United Kingdom after his foster family relocated there in 1815. During his time abroad, he attended several schools, where he developed a strong foundation in literature and the arts. In 1820, the family returned to Richmond, Virginia, in the United States, marking a significant transition in Poe's life. In 1826, at the age of 17, Edgar enrolled at the University of Virginia, where he chose to study modern languages. His time at the university was characterized by a deep passion for learning, although it was also marked by challenges, including financial difficulties that would later impact his academic performance. This period of his life laid the groundwork for his future literary endeavors as he delved into the intricacies of language and storytelling.

9. Edgar Allan Poe, the renowned American author known for his dark and macabre tales, had a unique chapter in his life when he served in the military. On May 27, 1827, he enlisted in the United States Army using the alias Edgar A. Perry, a name he adopted to maintain some level of anonymity. This enlistment came at a time when Poe was facing financial difficulties and personal challenges, seeking both stability and a fresh start. During his two-year term, he was stationed at Fort Independence in Boston Harbor, where he would engage in various military duties. Despite the hardships of military life, this experience would later influence his writing, as it offered him a different perspective on life and human nature.