Edgar Allan Poe Edgar Allan Poe had a significant influence on today's writers, he was a writer ahead of his time. Poe was one of the most famous American short story writers. He was also known as a famous poet, critic and editor. Introduction Poe was famous for his works of mystery and dark poetry. He wasn't the most distinguished writer in American history, but he was the most versatile and worth reading. He had an imagination that transported him into an almost morbid dream world, some say his gothic writing style came from his own life, in which he suffered from depression. Biographical Information Paragraph A: Edgar Poe was born on January 19, 1890. He was born in Boston Massachusetts. His parents were Elizabeth Arnold Poe and David Poe Junior. His mother was brought to America when he was nine years old. She was a very talented theater artist and actress. Elizabeth died on December 8 at the age of twenty-four in Richmond, Virginia, in 1811. The cause of her death was tuberculosis. His father came from a good Baltimore family. David was a doctor and a heavy drinker; he did not have the talent of his wife Elizabeth. David left his family in 1810, leaving Elizabeth with three young children to support alone. Poe had an older brother named William Henry Leonard and a younger sister named Rosalie Poe. Paragraph B: After his mother's death, Edgar went to live with a foster family and his brothers went to other families. His adoptive father was John Allen, a Scottish tobacco merchant who lived in Richmond, Virginia. Edgar took Allen's surname as his middle name and became known then as Edgar Allen Poe. The family traveled to England in 1815 where Edgar began his studies. He attended schools in Irvine, Scotland, Chelsea......middle of paper......ture is still evident today. He is known for his invention of the detective novel. The Mystery Writers of America honors one writer each year with the Edgar statuette. Poe is also considered a pioneer of science fiction and horror history. His work as a critic earned him the title of the first great literary critic of American literature. Conclusion: Edgar Allen Poe suffered from what is now known as manic depression, and his gothic tales and dark poetry are direct examples of how life influences art. His works may not have been so controversial if he had not lived a life of poverty, addiction and tragedy. Some might say his work was way ahead of its time. But he wrote about things happening around him, like murders and grave robberies. He used images and settings to make his stories more realistic. His stories could easily be made into films today.