ROMANCERS AND STORY WRITERS
EDGAR ALLAN POE
[Edgar Allan Poe was born, it is supposed, in Boston in 1809. His mother and father having died when he was three years old, he was adopted by Mrs. John Allan of Richmond, Virginia. He was educated in England and at the University of Virginia and West Point.
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| EDGAR ALLAN POE |
In January, 1831, he was dismissed from the Military Academy on account of neglect of duties, and went to New York to embark upon a literary career. His life from this time was very erratic, being passed in various cities—Richmond and Baltimore especially. Poe became connected with several magazines, but on account of the irregularities of his character—especially drinking—and ill health, he was unable to hold any of these positions for any length of time. In May, 1836, he was married to Miss Virginia Clemm, his cousin, who at the time of the marriage was but fourteen years old. In 1846, while the Poes were living in a small cottage at Fordham, she died of consumption under distressing conditions of poverty. This bereavement so affected Poe that it is hardly possible to believe that he was himself mentally during the remaining few years of his life. In the early part of October, 1849, he went to Baltimore, and shortly afterwards was found lying senseless in a saloon which was being used as a voting place. He was removed to
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