Download This Sample
This sample is exclusively for KidsKonnect members!
To download this worksheet, click the button below to signup for free (it only takes a minute) and you'll be brought right back to this page to start the download!
Sign Me Up
Table of Contents
American author, editor, and literary critic Edgar Allan Poe is well renowned for his short stories and poems, notably for his tales of suspense and mystery. He is frequently credited with creating detective fiction. Poe’s contributions to American and world literature as an editor, poet, and critic were enormous. He is one of the creators of horror and science fiction in addition to his detective novels. He is frequently cited as the creator of contemporary short tales.
See the fact file below for more information about Edgar Allan Poe, or download the comprehensive worksheet pack, which contains over 11 worksheets and can be used in the classroom or homeschooling environment.
Key Facts & Information
Early Life
- On January 19, 1809, Edgar Allan Poe was born. Eliza and David Poe, well-known actors, were his parents. While he was still a youngster, his father abandoned the family, leaving Eliza to take care of the three young children. Eliza contracted tuberculosis and lived out her days in Richmond. On December 8th, 1811, she passed away at 24, leaving behind her three children.
- John and Frances Allan of Richmond Edgar. Due to ongoing conflict between Edgar and his foster father, he was never legally adopted. Instead of adopting their last name, he changed his name to Edgar Allan Poe. Poe cherished living the upper-class lifestyle when he was a youth.
- Poe was a prolific poet by age 13, but his headmaster and John Allan discouraged him from writing because they wanted Poe to join them in the family company. Poe reportedly put poetry on the back of several of Allan’s business documents because he valued poetry more than money.
- Poe enrolled at the Charlottesville University of Virginia in 1825. Despite his academic prowess when he was there, he was compelled to leave because of heavy debts and scant financial support from Allan.
- He returned home to learn that Sarah Elmira Royster, his fiancée, had called off their wedding. Poe moved to Boston feeling discouraged.
- Poe enlisted in the American army in 1827, about when his debut work, Tamerlane, was released. Army. Two years later, he discovered Frances Allan was suffering from tuberculosis. By the time he went back to Richmond, she had already died.
Poe’s Writing Career
- Poe released his third book after he left West Point and devoted all of his time to literature. He lived in Richmond, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York City, and other cities while he was on the road in quest of opportunities. John Allan passed away in 1834, leaving Poe out of his will.
- Poe, who struggled with poverty, received a break when one of his short pieces won a prize in the Baltimore Saturday Visiter. He proceeded to publish more short pieces, and in 1835, he secured an editorial position with the Richmond-based Southern Literary Messenger. His caustic criticism earned him the moniker “Tomahawk Man.”
- Due to his tense relationship with the publisher and reported drunkenness, he departed the position after two years. Poe went on to work for a short time at publications including Graham’s Magazine, The Broadway Journal, Burton’s Gentleman’s Magazine, and Alexander’s Weekly Messenger, among others. He also sold his writing to these publications.
- His most well-known poem, “The Raven,” which instantly made him recognizable, was published in the New York Mirror on January 29, 1845, from the advance pages of the American Review. This story is particularly famous because it captures the sadness of losing something significant to you. People can also identify with this novel since it allows them to follow a character through tremendous changes, ones that they may be experiencing themselves.
- In 1845, Poe took over the editorship of the Broadway Journal, a transient weekly in which he reprinted the majority of his short works.
- Poe came under fire the same year for his harsh remarks toward fellow poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. A reaction against Poe followed his accusation that well-known author Longfellow was a plagiarist. Poe fought for increased pay for writers and international copyright legislation in his continuous financial hardship despite his renown and reputation as a writer.
Poe’s Famous Works
- Poe’s works included his only novel, The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym. In the late 1830s, Poe published a collection of short stories titled Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque. It contained three of his most horrifying tales, “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “Ligeia,” and “William Wilson.”
- Poe established the detective fiction genre in 1841 with “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” earning the moniker “Father of Detective Story” for his literary contributions. As a budding author, Poe won a literary award in 1843 for “The Gold Bug,” a suspenseful tale of secret codes and seeking out treasure.
- In 1843, Poe’s short story “The Black Cat” was published. An ex-animal lover develops alcoholism and begins beating his wife and a black cat. Finally, the narrator murders his wife, which his black cat reports to the cops. The story was finally published in Edgar Allan Poe’s 1845 collection of short stories, Tales.
- Among his poems are The Bells (1849), The City in the Sea (1831), The Conqueror Worm (1843), Dream-Land (1844), Eldorado (1849), A Dream within a Dream (1850), For Annie (1849), The Haunted Palace (1839), The Valley of Unrest (1845) and A Valentine (1850).
Death & Legacy
- On October 7, 1849, Poe passed away, and his final days are still a little mysterious. On September 27, 1849, Poe reportedly departed Richmond for Philadelphia.
- He was discovered in dire straits in Baltimore on October 3. Poe passed away four days after being admitted to Washington College Hospital. ” Lord, have mercy on my miserable soul” were his last words.
- Poe struggled with bipolar disorder and chronic depression. He also abused alcohol and other drugs, which ultimately contributed to his death from problems connected to drinking.
- Poe’s death was first attributed to “congestion of the brain,” but there have been countless theories on what caused it. Numerous illnesses, including rabies, epilepsy, and carbon monoxide poisoning, are suspected of being the cause of the famous author’s demise.
- Poe’s literary rival Rufus Griswold damaged Poe’s reputation soon after his passing. After receiving a severe reprimand from Poe, Griswold exacted revenge by portraying the famous but troubled author as a manic alcoholic and womanizer in his obituary. He also authored the first biography of Poe, which contributed to the establishment of several popular notions.
- Poe has become one of America’s most lasting writers despite never experiencing financial success during his lifetime. His writings still have the same power now as they had more than a century ago. Poe was an original and creative thinker who produced poetry and stories that still shock and stir people today. Numerous sources contend that Poe’s personal experiences are what gave rise to his gloomy writing style. His mother passed away shortly after his father died as a result of some of these occurrences.
Edgar Allan Poe Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Edgar Allan Poe across 22 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Edgar Allan Poe worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Edgar Allan Poe, who was a 19th-century American critic, writer and poet known for his works like The Raven, The Tell-Tale Heart and The Fall of the House of Usher. Like his masterpieces, Poe’s life is shrouded in mystery and speculation.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Edgar Allan Poe Facts
- The Tomahawk Man
- Famous Works
- Poe Hunt
- Titles & Tiles
- Poets Say
- Reader Inferencing
- Block Off
- Litstory: The Battle of Poets
- A Dream within a Dream
- Bio Poem
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Edgar Allan Poe most famous for?
His most well-known poem, “The Raven,” which instantly made him recognizable, was published in the New York Mirror on January 29, 1845, from the advance pages of the American Review.
What does Edgar Allan Poe suffer from?
Poe struggled with bipolar disorder and chronic depression. He also abused alcohol and other drugs, which ultimately contributed to his death from problems connected to drinking.
What were Edgar Allan Poe’s last five words?
Poe passed away four days after being admitted to Washington College Hospital. ” Lord, have mercy on my miserable soul” were his last words.
Why did Edgar Allan Poe write about death?
Numerous sources contend that Poe’s personal experiences are what gave rise to his gloomy writing style. His mother passed away shortly after his father died as a result of some of these occurrences.
Why is The Raven so popular?
This story is particularly famous because it captures the sadness of losing something significant to you. People can also identify with this novel since it allows them to follow a character through tremendous changes, ones that they may be experiencing themselves.
Link/cite this page
If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source.
Link will appear as Edgar Allan Poe Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 6, 2018
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.