Edgar Allan Poe

There aren't enough words in the world to begin describing this man. In a mere 40 years of life on this Earth he has influenced it in ways presidents, kings and nobilities of the world couldn't do in two, full lifetimes. There are probably few in this world who haven't at least heard of if not spoken his name at least once in their life. His literary works left an immortal imprint that will be felt for thousands of years to come.

He was a man who lived by his words. He was true to himself and in doing so led a life of near poverty and sometimes devastating poverty. Inflicted upon Poe were hardships to say the least, losing a great love of his life... being a genius who founded science-fiction and detective-fiction and yet hardly being able to sustain enough money for shelter, food and water.

He was born on January 19, 1809 and departed on October 7, 1849. To this day the cause of his death is officially "unknown" though many speculate everything from drinking himself to death to serious illness to murder to suicide. The mystery surrounding his death is fitting a man who was a mystery to the world while alive.

His most recognizable work is "The Raven", a poem published in January 1845. He is coined as a master of gothic-romance, which is a perfect title as his tales of man & woman are dripping with romance overshadowed by the toils of life.

Sadly though Poe was robbed of romance himself as his wife Virginia Clemm died of tuberculosis at age 24 on January 30, 1847. The two had secretly ran off and married on September 22, 1835 when Virginia was only 13. The marriage certificate listed Virginia at age 21. Despite the age difference at the time the family did not object and Poe moved back to Richmond with Virginia and her mother. They had a public marriage ceremony May 16, 1836 in Richmond.

Concerning Poe's writing career it was touch-and-go. He had published works in Philadelphia and Baltimore papers but it was not steady work. He was given a job at the Southern Literary Messenger after being recommended for the job by a fan of Poe, John P. Kennedy, who was a well-connected businessman. He was hired an assistant editor to Thomas White however the job didn't last more than a few weeks after he was fired for unfit behavior (drunkenness). He left Richmond, went back to Baltimore where he married Virginia and returned to Richmond after the secret wedding. He was re-hired by the Southern Literary Messenger and remained there until 1837 during which he increased their circulation 5 times over.

It wasn't until January 29, 1845 that Poe became a household name. "The Raven" debuted in the Evening Mirror and made Poe an overnight sensation. "The Raven" is by far Poe's most recognizable literary work and during his life was was paid on $9 for its print in the Evening Mirror.

Alongside "The Raven" Poe is known for:

"Annabel Lee"
"Lenore"
"The Bells"
"The Fall of the House of Usher"
"The Gold-Bug"
"The Haunted Palace"
"The Masque of the Red Death"
"The Murders in the Rue Morgue"
"The Pit and the Pendulum"
"The Premature Burial"
"The Raven"
"The Tell-Tale Heart"

A man of true and pure genius who led a devastatingly difficult life to be able to bring us his words & these legendary offerings... Edgar Allan Poe, one of the greatest contributors whose brief stay on this planet continues to enrich the lives of us all.