Edgar Allen Poe was born in Boston on January 19th, 1809.  Poe went on to be educated
in Virginia and England.  At the age of fifteen Poe’s remarkable ability to script poetry became
apparent however it wasn’t 1845 that he gained fame for his famed poem “The Raven”.  Poe’s
struggle for fame saw him through many notable situations.  In 1835 at the age of 26 Poe fell in
love with and married his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia.  In order to support his young bride Poe
took a job as an editor at the Southern Literary Messenger in Richmond.  At this position he
was able to publish his own reviews, poems, essay’s and stories.  Poe went on to work for many
other establishments including a “gentleman’s magazine” in his time as an editor Poe was able to
refine his own skills and continue to publish several of his works.  Numerous people have argued
that Poe’s early works such as “The Tell-Tale Heart” and “The Pit and The Pendulum” should
have earned him great fame.  In 1845 the publication of Poe’s poem “The Raven” earned him
the fame that he greatly deserved.  “The Ravens” popularity at the time would be comparable
to a modern pop song.  In 1847 Poe was crushed by the death of his young wife Virginia.  Poe
would never recover from Virginia’s death; he suffered from failed romances, a floundering
career, and a long bout with alcoholism.  Poe passed away at the age of forty in October of
1849.  Although Poe lived a short and tragic death he will forever be remembered for his
insightful works.