Research information about Edgar Allan Poe and his writing Slideshow companion to the research component for ENG1102 - Troy University.

1. Research Paper Companion
Philip A. Spires
ENG 1102
Troy University

2. Introduction

Biography

Works

Conclusion
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Works Cited


3. Edgar Allan Poe was an immensely troubled man who
struggled with addiction and mental illness. His life
began and ended with tragedy as did all the days in
between. Loss was commonplace for Poe early on as his
mother died of tuberculosis leaving him an orphan at
three years old. He was raised by foster parents who
adored the young boy, but as an adolescent, his
relationship with his foster father became troubled. In
college, he began drinking excessively and incurred
gambling debts.

4. After the death of his foster mother, Poe felt more
alone. He served briefly in the Army and had a short
stint at West Point, but Poe seldom finished anything
other than a literary work. He married a child bride, also
his cousin, but found it difficult to support her
financially. She, like both his mothers, became ill and
died leaving Poe even more emotionally unstable. The
rest of his life was littered by episodes of drunken
delirium followed by short periods of sobriety and
madness (Wilson, “Poe’s Life”).

5. Born to Elizabeth and David Poe, January

19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts
Raised by John and Frances Allan

Studied at University of Virginia

Served in the United States Army

Attended West Point

Worked as a writer, editor, and critic

Married Virginia Clemm

Died October 7, 1849


6. “The Tell-Tale Heart”

“Ligeia”

“The Raven”
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“The Conqueror Worm”
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“The Fall of the House of Usher”
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“The Masque of the Red Death”


7. Poe’s life, shrouded in mystery, ended just the same
when he was found incoherent on he streets of Boston.
Poe died in a hospital a few days later on October
7, 1849. Reading his work gives an insight to Poe’s life
like none other. Most of his stories are gothic in nature
with female heroines who, like the women in his life, fall
ill and meet tragic ends. Death and madness are central
themes found consistently in Poe’s work. One can only
assume that such writing is the result of being
consumed with loss and sadness and having genius
fueled by insanity (Wilson).

8. Poe, Edgar Allan. Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe.
New York: Pocket Books, 2003.
Wilson, James S. quot;Poe's Life.quot; Edgar Allan Poe Museum:
Richmond Virginia : Features Poe's Works, Relics, Photos, and
Life. 30 Apr. 2009 <http://www.poemuseum.org>.