Edgar Allan Poe, known as “the father of short stories, ” has written many short stories. A few examples are ” The Cask of Amontillado, ” ” The Tell-Tale Heart, ” and ” The Fall of the House of Usher. ” Poe is known all over the world for his eerie, spine-tingling tales of horror. ” Reading a story terrifies anddelights you” (Sohn,1964,p. 1).
This nineteenth century writer made a serious impact in the short story and poem writing category forever. Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston,Massechusetts to David Poe and Elizabeth Arnold. When Poe wasby Poe is an experience comparable to a nightmare that both just twoyears old, his mother, a well-known actor, died of tuberculosis at the young age of twenty-five. Poe’s father, David Poe, also died when he was just two. After the passing of his parents, Poe was taken in by John Allan, a prosperous merchant from Richmond, Virginia, at the urging of his wife, Frances Allan. Poe was never legally adopted by the Allan’s, but they did try to supply him with a good home and education.
Poe grew up in Richmond, Virginia, where his foster parents lived. When he was six years old, he was taken to England with the Allan family and placed in the Manor House School, a private school conducted by a conductor just like the one in ” William Wilson, ” one of Poe’s short stories. Poe returned to the United States in 1820 where he continued to be taught in private schools. In 1826, Poe entered the University of Virginia, but only stayed for one year. He had to drop out because John Allan would no longer pay his tuition. The reason that Allan stopped paying Poe’s tuition was because he received bills from his gambling.
He also became a heavy drinkerwhile at the University of Virginia. After that, Allan broke up Poe’sengagement to Sarah Elmira Royster, his sweetheart from Richmond. In1827, Poe published his first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems. With no support and no money, Poe then enisted in the United States army. Two years later, while his rank was sergeant-major, Poe received a discharge to enter West Point, with the help of Mr. Allan.
But again, Poe felt that his foster father did not give him enough money, so he arranged to be court-martialed and dismissed from West Point.
