The Twisted Side of Classic Literature

A life of poverty, a creative mind destined for greatness, and a lot of tragedy in between—Edgar Allan Poe struck a chord with readers and fellow writers throughout his life. His brilliant mind earned him a permanent spot in history, but not everything was successful stories and famed poetry. 

W.S. Hartshorn on Wikimedia

1. A Prolific Writer With a Mysterious End 

Maybe you were brave enough to read his work alone. Perhaps you only recognize the name from The Simpsons' Treehouse of Horrors specials. Either way, you’ve heard of Edgar Allan Poe, the prolific 1800s author who penned dozens of terrifying poems and short stories throughout his career. Despite his success, and the trouble getting there, Poe was so much more than a macabre mind. 

Tomas Ryant on Pexels

2. He Lost His Parents Young

Edgar was born into the Poe family in 1809. He was a child of equally artistic parents, both of whom were actors, but neither of whom made it far into his life. His father abandoned the family just one year after Poe’s birth, and his mother lost her battle with tuberculosis in 1811.  

Edgar Allan Poe Memorial Association on Wikimedia

3. A New Family Name

Already an orphan, Poe was taken in by John Allan. Allan was a successful merchant by trade and quickly had Poe baptized in 1812, ensuring he got a proper education shortly thereafter. Though Poe lived with him for quite some time, the Allans accepted him but never officially adopted him. 

chris_muschard on Pixabay

4. He Wrote a Book of Poetry at 13 

Some could rightfully call Poe a prodigy. At the tender age of 13, it’s alleged he’d already written enough poems to fill a book. His love of the written word paved the way for such an early anthology, but Poe’s inspiration also came from his adoration for Lord Byron. Though the collection was submitted to publishers, it ultimately never went anywhere as his headmaster convinced Poe’s father not to publish it. 

Pixabay on Pexels

5. Gambling on Higher Education

Higher education is a gamble for some but Poe gave new meaning to the phrase. In 1826 he attended the University of Virginia, a strict academy that enforced rules against pastimes like gambling and alcohol. The warnings went unheeded, however, and Poe racked up hefty gambling debts before dropping out in 1827—behavior that led to a series of odd jobs and a crumbling relationship with his foster father. 

Phil Roeder on Wikimedia

6. He Lied to Join the Army

In debt and desperate for money, Poe enlisted in the army in 1827. His application stated that he was 22 when, in fact, he was only 18. He served for two years and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming sergeant major for artillery. However, a successful military career couldn’t tame his artist’s heart and he soon sought to head home early. 

Rob Martinez on Unsplash

7. His First Book at 18

An impressive stint in the military wasn’t Poe’s only accomplishment at the time. He may have been too young for the army but he wasn’t too young to officially publish his first work at 18, a collection of poems called Tamerlane and Other Poems.  

Pexels on Pixabay

8. Disowned By His Foster Father

Poe and Allan’s relationship was tumultuous at best, so getting an honorable discharge proved difficult. His commanding officer would only grant the request if Poe secured word from his father, which he didn’t receive until years later. Poe’s letters wouldn’t break Allan’s silence, but rather the tragic passing of Allan’s wife. Poe was released in 1829 and in 1830, after his father remarried, was officially disowned following complaints from Allan’s new wife. 

Unknown author; Restored by Yann Forget and Adam Cuerden on Wikimedia

9. The First Successful American Author

Free to start the life he wanted, Poe ventured into writing without much reward. It took some time before he earned recognition, but once he did, he became the first American author to successfully support himself through writing alone. The 1830s proved a prosperous time for accolades, including various awards and published works. 

Dana Ana on Pexels

10. He Married His Teenage Cousin 

In 1835, 26-year-old Poe obtained a marriage license to his 13-year-old cousin Virginia Clemm. The nature of their relationship has long been up for debate, especially since he referred to her in letters as both a sister and his “darling little wifey.” 

Sandy Millar on Unsplash

11. His Stories Scared the Public

Poe first published his short story “Berenice” in the Southern Literary Messenger in 1835. It might not sound as familiar as “The Tell-Tale Heart” or “The Raven,” but this wicked little story was so gruesome that the general public complained to the editor until a revised version was published in 1840. 

Edgar Allan Poe Memorial Association on Wikimedia

12. Starting a New Literary Genre

In 1841, Poe changed the world of writing. His short story “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” is often hailed as the first modern detective story, sparking inspiration in countless renowned authors afterward. As a matter of fact, avid Sherlock fans have Poe to thank as he’s the biggest inspiration for Arthur Conan Doyle’s story. 

cottonbro studio on Pexels

13. A Keen Eye for Cryptography

Poe was a full-time writer and co-editor at Graham’s Magazine by 1841, but he penned much more than stories. He had a deep interest in and profound knowledge of cryptography; two ciphers he published that year under the name W. B. Tyler remained unsolved for decades. 

cottonbro studio on Pexels

14. Plenty of Nasty Rivalries 

Success isn’t without its pitfalls and Poe was a living testament to the dark side of publishing. Most notable was his rivalry against Rufus W. Griswold, an acclaimed critic and anthologist who Poe frequently butted heads with in the 1840s. In 1845, Poe also publically criticized Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a beloved poet, of plagiarism and “writing brilliant poems—by accident.” 

Miner Kilbourne Kellogg on Wikimedia

15. One of the Earliest Sci-Fi Writers

Not only did Poe invent genres, he also spearheaded the success of preexisting ones. By exploring science fiction in some of his stories, he propelled the genre to wider success and inspired big names down the road like Jules Verne and Arthur C. Clarke. 

Felix Mittermeier on Pexels

16. A Devastating Loss Overtook Him

His wife displayed signs of tuberculosis in 1842. She clung on for five years before it took her life in 1847. The loss would prove too much for Poe to handle and the author turned to drink, fell into a depression, and stopped writing as frequently. 

anonymous  on Wikimedia

17. His Mysterious Passing

Just two years later, Poe would be found on the streets of Baltimore, incoherent and in another person’s clothing. He would be taken to the hospital where things only worsened—he repeatedly called out “Reynolds” (a name unrecognized to this day), fought delirious fits, and eventually lost his life just days later. Newspapers reported the official cause as “congestion of the brain.” All relevant medical documents remain lost and to this day, so no one knows what happened. 

Grant Berg on Wikimedia

18. A Scathing Send-Off

Not even the loss of life stopped his rival from writing a nasty obituary in the New York Tribune. Rufus W. Griswold donned the pen name Ludwig and wrote a lengthy piece shortly after Poe passed—one that criticized his character and life. In 1850 he wrote "Memoir of the Author,” which wrongfully claimed Poe was a madman and an addict plagued by melancholy. Griswold even forged letters by Poe. His vengeful work reached the masses and people believed the slander for years afterward. 

Mike Bird on Pexels

19. His Eternal Legacy 

Despite Griswold’s malicious attempts, Poe hasn't been erased from history. His legacy lives on in pop culture, as inspiration in authors’ works, and he remains a beloved area of study for scholars. Plaques and sculptures erected in his honor also remain throughout America. 

Edgar Allan Poe Memorial Association on Wikimedia

20. The Baltimore Ravens

In 1996, Poe’s name would find itself in the NHL. The team, once known as the Baltimore Browns, became the Baltimore Ravens after football fans persistently called for the name. 

Brendan Beale on Unsplash