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Edgar Allan Poe is born
Edgar Allan Poe was born in January 19, 1809 and died October 7, 1849. He was an American writer, poet, critic and editor best known for evocative short stories and poems that captured the imagination and interest of readers around the world. -
Poe's Sister is born
Rosalie Mackenzie Poe (1810-1874), was best known as the younger sister of American author Edgar Allan Poe. Rosalie was adopted by William Mackenzie and his wife in Richmond, Virginia, who gave Rosalie her middle name, after the deaths of their parents. -
Poe's Parents Die
Poe's parents were Elizabeth Arnold Poe, a British actress, and David Poe, Jr., an actor who was born in Baltimore. His father left the family early in Poe's life, and his mother passed away from tuberculosis when he was only three. Poe never really knew his parents. -
Poe writes his first poem
A fifteen-year-old Edgar Allan Poe pens his first known poem: "Last night, with many cares & toils oppres'd,/ Weary, I laid me on a couch to rest". -
Poe enlists in the U.S Army and shortly after his first book is published
Poe enlists in the U.S. Army under the name "Edgar A. Perry." Shortly after, his first book is published, a poetry collection entitled Tamerlane and Other Poems.He is listed only as "A Bostonian". -
Poe's older brother dies
William Henry Leonard Poe was a sailor, amateur poet. He was Edgar's oldest brother, and died at the age of 24 of tuberculosis. -
Poe marries his thirteen year old cousin, Virginia Clemm
Poe married Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe. They were first cousins and married when Virginia Clemm was 13 and Poe was 27. -
Poe writes his first novel "The narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym"
"The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym" is the only complete novel written by Edgar. The novel relates the tale of the young Arthur Gordon Pym, who stows away aboard a whaling ship called the Grampus. -
Poe's story collection Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque is published in two volumes
"Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque" is a collection of previously published short stories by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1840. It was published in two different volumes. -
Poe published the poem, The Raven
"The Raven" is a narrative poem that is often noted for its musicality, stylized language, and supernatural atmosphere. It tells of a talking raven's mysterious visit to a distraught lover, tracing the man's slow fall into madness. The lover, often identified as being a student, is lamenting the loss of his love, Lenore. -
Poe's wife Virginia dies of tuberculosis at their home in Bronx
Poe's wife Virginia dies of tuberculosis at their home in the Bronx. Poe has been so despondent during the final months of her illness that friends thought he was going insane. The loss of his wife sends Poe into a downward spiral of alcoholism. -
Edgar Allen Poe Dies
Edgar Allen Poe died on October 7, 1849. His final days remain somewhat of a mystery. Poe left Richmond on September 27, 1849, and was supposedly on his way to Philadelphia. On October 3, he was found in Baltimore in great distress. Poe was taken to Washington College Hospital, where he died four days later. His last words were "Lord, help my poor soul."
