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Edgar Allan Poe, the renowned author who is credited with inventing the detective story, left behind his most perplexing mystery of all: the cause of his own untimely death. Despite passing away just 40 years after entering this world, Poe’s presence has never truly left us. However, his immortality is not due to reincarnation or resurrection, as depicted in his works, but rather through his enduring influence on popular culture.
Poe continues to be a prominent figure in today’s society. In 2023, the miniseries “The Fall of the House of Usher,” which combines elements of Poe’s work with the hit show “Succession,” topped the Netflix charts. Additionally, Austria’s entry for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, “Who the Hell Is Edgar?,” explores the sensation of being possessed by Poe’s ghost. While Poe is commonly known as a master of horror, his impact extends beyond that genre. His creation of detective C. Auguste Dupin and the concept of “ratiocination” in “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” laid the groundwork for Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes and the entire detective fiction genre.
Furthermore, Poe’s mysterious death has captivated audiences and sparked a fascination with true crime. Over the past two centuries, amateur sleuths have attempted to unravel the enigma surrounding his demise, delving into layers of myth-making, medical uncertainties, and potential political corruption.
Author Mark Dawidziak is the latest investigator to tackle the mystery of Poe’s death. In his 2023 book, “A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe,” Dawidziak proposes a new theory that combines a deadly illness, which had previously claimed the lives of Poe’s mother and wife, with a criminal practice known as “cooping.” However, Dawidziak acknowledges that despite his theory, the truth remains elusive.
Given Poe’s status as one of America’s most celebrated authors, it may seem surprising that there is still uncertainty surrounding his death. However, understanding his life is essential in unraveling this mystery. Poe was born in Boston, although there is little physical evidence remaining of his birthplace due to urban renewal efforts. His parents, both actors, had little involvement in his life. His father left the family early on, while his mother died of tuberculosis when Poe was just two years old.
After his mother’s death, Poe was taken in by John and Frances Allan in Richmond, Virginia. John Allan, a wealthy tobacco businessman, hoped Poe would follow in his footsteps. However, Poe harbored ambitions of becoming a poet and pursued his passion for writing. Despite his talent, Poe faced numerous setbacks and rejections. His academic pursuits were cut short when John Allan refused to fund his studies, and his romance with Sarah Elmira Royster ended when she became engaged to someone else.
Poe’s life was characterized by a series of odd jobs, financial struggles, and constant relocations. He spent time in the Army, attended West Point, and worked for the Southern Literary Messenger. He lived in various cities, including Boston, Richmond, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York City. As a writer, Poe dabbled in poetry, literary criticism, novel writing, essays, and even hoaxes.
In 1836, Poe married his cousin, Virginia Clemm, who was 13 years old at the time. Their marriage is believed to have been more of a legal arrangement than a romantic relationship. Virginia provided emotional support for Poe throughout their marriage, but it’s unclear if their relationship was consummated.
Despite his tumultuous life, Poe’s legacy endures. His influence on literature, the detective genre, and popular culture is undeniable. While the mystery surrounding his death persists, Edgar Allan Poe remains an immortal figure whose works continue to captivate audiences to this day.
