Poe is no stranger to suffering. Loosing his parents at the age of 3 , placing him into the home of a merchant who looked after him through his entrance into the university. However, Poe was an avid gambler which forced him out if the university. Allan, his guardian, refused to pay his debts. This caused Poe to enter into the Army, in order to survive. His brief stint with the military was unsuccesful. He was kicked out of West Point for disobeying orders. His friends and fellow cadets helped him finace his first book, which helped him to launch his career (though he was never able to secure stable income). He was widely respected for his literary critisims. His poetry was loved and he helped bring the short story to the mainstream. Poe lost his beloved wife Virgina which caused him a great deal of personal anguish. He did, however, reunite with his long lost love from youth and asked her for her hand. She accepted. On his way to marry her, he died. He was found in the street unconcious. It was determined that he died from "congestion of the brain."

Poetry

The Cask of Amontillado

The facts in the case of M. Valdemar