Edgar Allan Poe

                During the Romanticism age, one man changed the very idea of literature as we know it, writing in Gothic, mystery, and horror genres. He was considered to be a master of suspense, and was also called “Father of the detective Story.” Edgar Allan Poe became one of the most well-known writers in the world, but his path in life was filled with obstacles since the beginning. By the age of 3, Poe’s mother had died and his father had left him, leaving him to live with John and Frances Allan. Poe attended the University of Virginia, but with monetary issues, he had to leave. He came back to find out that his fiancée Elmira Royster got engaged to someone else. Poe then left his parents, to truly start his career as a writer.

                Edgar Allan Poe’s first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems was published and 1827, around the time he joined the army.  After a few more years in the army, he left to write full time. Another thing to note about Poe is that he married his 13-year-old cousin, who died by the age of 20. 

                I feel that all of these hardships throughout his life are really shown through his work. The Raven and fall of the house of usher all show many similarities to Poe’s life, with The Raven showing themes such as “the loss of a loved one”  Or The Fall of the House of Usher showing  a man who has lost his nerve, at the edge of a crumbling bloodline.