Lauren SlivaThe writings of Edgar Allan Poe proved to be only a sliver of his varied life. A rough childhood, underage wife and a mysterious death also led to the exciting world of this American author, who was remembered on Wednesday, Oct. 7, the bicentennial anniversary of his death.
Poe lived part of his life in Philadelphia, which, along with other cities, has been celebrating his anniversary in a number of events.
A relative of Edgar Allan Poe, Hal Poe, spoke about the new book he is writing which incorporates themes of his famous ancestor on the 160-year anniversary of his death at The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site in Philadelphia.
“The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site is mandated by Congress to talk about Poe’s life and literary works along with the legacy he lived,” Helen McKenna-Uff, a park ranger at the site, said.
The house that hosts the historic site was bought by Richard Gimbel of Gimbel’s department store in 1933. Gimbel also purchased the now-stuffed raven named “Grip” that was made famous in Charles Dickens’ story “Barnaby Rudge.” When Poe reviewed this story for a magazine, he mentioned the bird should have been used more and thus spawned his own poem “The Raven,” according to McKenna-Uff.
Poe’s life began on Jan. 19, 1809 in Boston. When Poe was three, his mother died and he was taken to the home of a man named John Allan, a tobacco merchant. While attending the University of Virginia, he became a member of the Jefferson Literary Society and thus spawned his love for writing.
Poe financed many things for Poe during his lifetime, including his schooling. However, when Allan stopped financing Poe’s education, the boy went back to Boston where he published, “Tamerlane and Other Poems.” This has become such a rare book that a single copy has sold for $200,000.
Poe then joined the Army for two years and became a private officer while under the name Edward A. Perry. After he was promoted to a sergeant-major, he enlisted the help of Allan to get him discharged from the military. He then made his home in Baltimore with his aunt, Maria Poe Clemm.
He continued to live on funds from Allan until he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. While he was in Baltimore, he published “Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems.” After a fight with Allan, Poe stopped receiving funds and was dismissed from West Point Academy on March 6, 1831.
Soon after Poe left West Point, he published “Poems by Edgar Allan Poe, Second Edition.” Poe began writing prose tales as well. Five of these appeared in the Philadelphia Saturday Courier in 1832. During this time, Poe was married to his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm.
In 1845, Poe became famous with the huge success of his poem “The Raven” and in March of that same year he joined C. F. Briggs in an effort to publish The Broadway Journal.
Sadly in 1846, Poe’s wife Virginia became very sick and died. After this, he became an alcoholic and it is said that even a bit of liquor would cause a change in his personality despite his grief. He tried to write, but never recovered from his wife’s death.
Poe mysteriously died on Oct. 7, 1849 in Baltimore. He is buried at Westminster Presbyterian Church where a re-enactment of his burial was performed this year, complete with the eulogies and recognition he deserved.
