Edgar Allan Poe
A Bostonian poet who became a Baltimore icon, turning mystery and macabre into enduring cultural legend.
Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic born in Boston on January 19, 1809. He is best known for his poetry and short stories involving mystery and the macabre, earning him a place as a central figure of Romanticism and Gothic fiction in the United States. Although he spent much of his life moving between Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City, it was in Baltimore that he died on October 7, 1849. His legacy as one of the first American writers to earn a living exclusively through writing resulted in a financially difficult career, yet his influence extended globally into fields like cosmology and cryptography.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- Edgar Poe
- Born
- 19 January 1809
- Birthplace
- Boston, Massachusetts, US
- Died
- 7 October 1849
- Place of death
- Baltimore, Maryland, US
- Resting place
- Westminster Hall and Burying Ground
- Occupation
- Writer
- poet
- editor
- literary critic
- Parents
- David Poe Jr.; Eliza Poe
Lore & Background
Poe's life was defined by loss and struggle from the start. Taken in by John and Frances Allan of Richmond, Virginia, he never received formal adoption but lived with them into young adulthood. His education took him from grammar schools in Scotland and London to the University of Virginia in 1826, where he left after a year due to lack of funds and gambling debts. In 1827, he enlisted in the United States Army under the name Edgar A. Perry, publishing his first collection, Tamerlane and Other Poems, credited only to "a Bostonian." After reaching a temporary truce with Allan following Frances's death in 1829, Poe failed as an officer cadet at West Point, declared his intent to write poetry, and parted ways forever. He later married his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm, in 1836, only to see her die of tuberculosis in 1847.
Reader's Guide
Poe was born in Boston, raised in Richmond, studied briefly at the University of Virginia and served in the Army at Fort Moultrie in Charleston. He returned to Baltimore after leaving West Point in 1831, staying with his aunt Maria Clemm, cousin Virginia, brother Henry, and grandmother Elizabeth Cairnes Poe. It was here he received encouragement from critic John Neal, prompting him to dedicate a poem to Neal in his second book, Al Aaraaf, Tamerlane and Minor Poems (1829). His third volume, simply titled Poems (1831), was funded by fellow West Point cadets who raised approximately $170. Today, several of his homes serve as dedicated museums, and the Mystery Writers of America presents an annual Edgar Award for distinguished work in mystery, cementing his role as a pioneer of detective fiction and science fiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Edgar Allan Poe?
Edgar Allan Poe was an American poet and writer born in Boston who became deeply associated with Baltimore, where he lived for significant periods of his life. He is best known for his dark, mysterious stories and poems that defined the Gothic literary tradition.
How did Edgar Allan Poe die?
The author passed away in Baltimore on October 7, 1849, after being found delirious on the streets of the city. The exact circumstances surrounding his final days remain a historical mystery to this day.
More in People & Notable Figures
Elsewhere in Baltimore Ravens
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced