While Edgar Allen Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts he is strongly associated with Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, the city is extremely proud of its association to this great American poet. He lived in Baltimore for a period of time and originally moved there due to work circumstances. It was also in Baltimore that he died, which is often considered significant for such a macabre writer. However, he had spent most of the last few years of his life in a small house in the Bronx, New York. Many of the guests staying in one of the luxury Baltimore hotels visit Poe’s house as part of their trip.

Poe was born in, simply Edgar Poe, in Boston in January of 1809. It is extremely likely that he was named after the famous character in Shakespeare’s King Lear as both of his parents happened to be performing in that play at the time of his birth. His tragic elements of life began early and his father left the family a year after his birth. Shortly after that his mother died of consumption. Poe was then put into the custody of the Allen family from Virginia. He lived with them and their name was added to his though he was never formerly adopted by them and would later distance himself permanently from them.

Despite the tragic elements of Poe’s life he was able to write amazing literature that continues to captivate readers today. His poem The Raven in 1845 and it received instant success. Other major writings that continue to be revered are The Tell Tale Heart, The Pit and The Pendulum, The Fall of the House of Usher and the Cask of Amontillado. Poe suffered from alcoholism for most of his life. Toward the end of his life it is accepted that he suffered from heart disease, epilepsy and meningital inflammation. And it is commonly theorized that he may also have been suffering from syphilis, cholera and possibly even rabies. He was found on the streets of Baltimore on October 4, 1849 in need of assistance and in great distress. He died in the hospital on the following Sunday, October 7. The Baltimore house he lived in is preserved as the Edgar Allen Poe House and Museum.

Edgar Allen Poe Museum in Baltimore is a post from: Kiss Java

Related posts:

1. Haunted Spots and the Ghosts of Baltimore
2. Museum of Velvet Paintings in Portland
3. Boston Museums