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Poe is Born
Edgar Poe was born in Boston in 1809 to two actors. His father disappeared shortly after he was born, and his mother also fell ill. -
Poe is Adopted
Edgar Poe was later adopted by a merchant named John Allen, thus making his name Edgar Allen Poe. -
Poe Goes to University
Poe attended the University of Virginia, funded by John Allen. When Allen could no longer pay for Poe's schooling, Poe looked to gambling to pay. However, Poe soon began to rack up massive debt. -
Poe Enlists in the Army
Poe was unable to continue to pay for his schooling with his massive debt so he enlisted in the army. He was discharged early to go to West Point. Poe was court-martialed for failing too many of his classes and was not attending his religious services. His adoptive father, John Allen, then disowned him. After all this Poe began to try and make a living being an author. -
Poe Marries His Cousin
Poe went back to Baltimore. He and his cousin Virginia decided to get married and move into a house together. When they married Virginia was 13(her age was listed as 21) and Poe was 27. -
Poe Writes "The Masque of the Red Death"
"The Masque of the Red Death" was first published in Graham's magazine in 1842. This story is not one of Poe's well known stories. -
Poe Writes "The Pit and the Pendulum"
"The Pit and the Pendulum" was first published in The Gift: A Christmas and New Year's Present for 1843. -
Poe Writes "The Tell-Tale Heart"
"The Tell-Tale Heart" was first published in the Pioneer literary magazine in 1843. It became one of Poe's most well known stories. -
Poe Writes "The Raven"
"The Raven" was first published in 1845, and was then published in several magazines. He was said to have been paid around 10 dollars for the first publication. "The Raven" has become one of the most famous pieces of poetry. -
Poe Writes "The Cask of Amontillado"
"The Cask of Amontillado" was first published in 1846 in Godey's Lady's Book, one of the most popular periodical in America at the time. -
Poe's Wife Dies
Poe's wife Virginia passed away in 1847 from tuberculosis. This caused Poe to go into a downwards spiral of depression. -
Poe Writes "Annabelle Lee"
Poe used the grief of his wife's death to write "Annabelle Lee". It talks about his unending love for her, and not one of Poe's usually dark writings. -
Poe Dies
Poes died in the hospital under mysterious circumstances. He was found around or in a tavern with tattered clothes and look very disheveled. He was brought to Washington College Hospital because of intoxication. He was in and out of consciousness during his stay. He eventually died a few days later on Sunday, October 7, 1849. -
Poe Writes"The Bells"
"The Bells" was a work not published until after Poe's death. Poe was inspired to write "The Bells" because of the bells he heard ringing at St. John's College.