Biography of Edgar Allan Poe
I. Introduction
A. Attention Getter: There are many debates regarding the baffling circumstances of Edgar Allan Poe’s death
B. Thesis: but his tales of mystery and the macabre are still read and appreciated with the same air of curiosity as back when he was alive.
II. Early Life of Edgar Allan Poe (Body)
A. Birthplace and date of birth: Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts.
B. Family background and childhood: In 1810, Poe’s father abandoned him and his mother died a year later from pulmonary tuberculosis. Within the age of 3, both of his parents had died. Edgar’s older brother, Henry, went to live with his grandparents while Edgar was adopted by John Allan Frances Allan. His younger sister Rosalie was taken in by another family.
III. Education (Body)
A. Schools and Early Education: Edgar grew up in good surroundings and went to good schools since John Allan was a successful merchant. When Poe was 6, he went to school in England for 5 years. He learned Latin and French, as well as math and history. He later returned to school in America and continued his studies. Edgar Allan went to the University of Virginia in 1826. He was 17. Even though John Allan had plenty of money, he only gave Edgar about a third of what he needed. Although Edgar had done well in Latin and French, he started to drink heavily and quickly became in debt. He had to quit school less than a year later. Edgar Allan had no money, no job skills, and had been shunned by John Allan. Edgar went to Boston and joined the U.S. Army in 1827. He was 18. He did reasonably well in the Army and attained the rank of sergeant major. In 1829, Mrs. Allan died and John Allan tried to be friendly towards Edgar and signed Edgar's application to West Point. While waiting to enter West Point, Edgar lived with his grandmother and his aunt, Mrs. Clemm. Also living there was his brother, Henry, and young cousin, Virginia. In 1830, Edgar Allan entered West Point as a cadet. He didn't stay long because John Allan refused to send him any money. It is thought that Edgar purposely broke the rules and ignored his duties so he would be dismissed.
B. Colleges: Poe enrolls midway through the academic year at the University of Virginia which had opened less than a year before. He attend this college from 1826 to 1826.
C. Early Career: In 1831, Edgar Allan Poe went to New York City where he had some of his poetry published. He submitted stories to a
