Edgar Allan Poe was a talented and gifted writer. The words on the pages of his works were a pure manifestation of his tormented thoughts.
Poe was a genius whose poems and writings touched the deepest, darkest parts of our souls. Reading his great works was like walking through somebody's nightmare.
We know Edgar Allan Poe as a tortured man who lived a miserable life full of sorrow, loss, and hardship, even though he was a genius and an artist. But was there more to know?
Interesting Facts About Edgar Allan Poe
Few writers have captured fantasy, horror and the macabre in the magnitude that Poe did, and we will forever cherish, admire and respect his contributions to the literary world.
We know Edgar Allan Poe as a gifted writer of horror and suspense, but there was more to this heartbroken creature wandering hopelessly through the unforgiving caverns of his mind.
Let's dive into some interesting facts about Edgar Allan Poe that you probably didn't know.
Edgar Allan Poe was an Avid Swimmer
We like to think of Edgar Allan Poe as a pasty, pale and frail man who isolated himself from the world, taking no interest in sports or anything "macho."
Poe was, however, an avid swimmer in his younger years. He set a local record for swimming seven and a half miles across the James River against a strong current in 1824 at the age of 15.
It's hard to imagine, but Edgar Allan Poe was a fit, active and athletic young man.
Edgar Allan Poe was Poor
There's hardly a person living today who hasn't heard about the great Edgar Allan Poe.
With writers developing television series based on Poe's short stories like 'The Fall of The House of Usher', the modern world is accustomed to his artistic contributions.
With so much notoriety and fame, it's hard to imagine that Edgar Allan Poe himself was dirt poor, but he was. He was only paid $9 for The Raven, one of the most famous poems ever written!
Sadly, there were few times Poe lived above the poverty level, and he left the world as a poor man.
Edgar Allan Poe Married his 13-Year-Old Cousin
When Edgar Allan Poe was 27, he became lawfully wedded to his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm.
Though it was legal at the time, a document was falsified by the couple to state that she was 21 to avoid scandal.
Poe deeply loved his child bride and cousin, viewing her as angelic. They were said to have had a happy and healthy relationship until she died in 1847 from tuberculosis.
Edgar Allan Poe was a Heavy Gambler
While attending the University of Virginia, Poe accumulated a debt of around $2,000 from losing bets playing cards (Equivalent to about $55,000 in 2024).
John Allan, Poe's stepfather, wouldn't shoulder the debt and refused to let him return to the university, causing their relationship to subsequently end, leaving Poe again without a family.
Some people think poker isn't gambling, but it certainly is when you rack up that sort of bill!
Edgar Allan Poe Joined the Army
On May 26th, 1827, Edgar Allan Poe, using a fake name (Edgar A. Perry) enlisted and joined the U.S. Army, where he excelled at his career, being promoted to regimental sergeant major in 1829.
Later, in 1830, Poe attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, where he was a model student.
It strikes us as odd when we think of the strange, dark and macabre Poe being a military soldier, but he was.
Edgar Allan Poe Was a Ruthless Critic
A magazine editor and critic, Edgar Allen Poe wrote thousands of essays and reviews.
Making enemies in the literary world, Poe was soon nicknamed "the man with the tomahawk", delivering scathing and brutal reviews of authors and writer's literary works.
Here is a review Poe wrote about George B. Cheever's book.
“He is much better known, however, as the editor of ‘The Commonplace Book of American Poetry,’ a work which has at least the merit of not belying its title, and is exceedingly commonplace.”
Yes, Poe was not always the nicest guy. But you're allowed to be a jerk when you're a genius, right?
John Allan Left Poe Nothing in His Will
John Allan left his fortune to many of his illegitimate children, but he didn't leave any money to Edgar Allan Poe, a man whom he viewed as a disappointing failure and an embarrassment.
Edgar Allan Poe Was Thought To Be an Artist Before He was a Writer
At the University of Virginia, Poe would draw all over the walls in his dorm (room 13), creating intricate art that led many to believe he was an artist.
After he published his first literary work in 1827, "Tamerlane and Other Poems," people weren't sure if Poe would become a great writer or a great artist.
Perhaps he was both?
The Bottom Line
Whether your favorite of his literary works was The Tell-Tale Heart, The Pit and The Pendulum, The Masque of The Red Death, Ligeia, The Murders in the Rue Morgue, or The Raven, Edgar Allan Poe will continue to go down in history as one the greatest horror, macabre and mystery writers of all time.
Though Poe suffered greatly in his life, his works will continue to inspire and haunt us. And we are forever grateful for his contributions to the literary world and beyond.
We hope you enjoyed these interesting and odd facts about the great Edgar Allan Poe! Before you go, check out our premium line of Halloween Shirts.
