Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer and poet best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre. He was orphaned as a child and taken in by John Allan, though he was never formally adopted. Poe struggled financially throughout his life and had difficulties in formal education. He made contributions to multiple literary magazines as an editor and formulated theories about genres like the short story and detective fiction. Poe died under mysterious circumstances in 1849 at the age of 40.

1. Edgar Allan PoeEdgar Allan Poe
1809-18491809-1849

2. Biographical NotesBiographical Notes
 Orphaned at the age of two.Orphaned at the age of two.
 Taken in, but never adopted by John Allan.Taken in, but never adopted by John Allan.
 Briefly attended University of Virginia, but hadBriefly attended University of Virginia, but had
to leave due to gambling debt.to leave due to gambling debt.
 Allan refused to support him so he joined theAllan refused to support him so he joined the
army.army.
 Briefly attended West Point, purposely earnedBriefly attended West Point, purposely earned
demerits so he would be expelled.demerits so he would be expelled.
 Published a book of poetry with the financialPublished a book of poetry with the financial
help of other cadets.help of other cadets.

3. •Moved to Baltimore toMoved to Baltimore to
live with aunt and herlive with aunt and her
daughter Virginia.daughter Virginia.
•1833 - Married his 131833 - Married his 13
year old cousinyear old cousin
Virginia.Virginia.
Virginia Clemens

4.  Earned a living as anEarned a living as an
editor for variouseditor for various
literary magazines.literary magazines.
 Formulated literaryFormulated literary
theories about shorttheories about short
stories.stories.
 Considered the fatherConsidered the father
of the detective storyof the detective story
and the horror tale.and the horror tale.

5.  Wife died of TB in 1847.Wife died of TB in 1847.
 Poe died in 1849 under mysteriousPoe died in 1849 under mysterious
circumstances - found unconscious on acircumstances - found unconscious on a
street in Baltimore.street in Baltimore.
 We associate him with the city ofWe associate him with the city of
Baltimore.Baltimore.
 The Baltimore Ravens football team isThe Baltimore Ravens football team is
named after his poem, “The Raven.”named after his poem, “The Raven.”

6. Poe said: There is no subject so fit for aPoe said: There is no subject so fit for a
poem as the death of a beautiful woman.poem as the death of a beautiful woman.

7. The Poe ToasterThe Poe Toaster
Since 1949, on the night of
the anniversary of
Poe's birth, a mysterious
stranger has entered
this cemetery and left as
tribute a partial bottle of
cognac and three roses on
Poe's grave.
The identity of the stranger,
referred to
affectionately as the Poe
Toaster, is unknown.