Edgar Allan Poe - Timeline

Edgar Poe is born in Boston (1809)

Poe's parents die & he is taken in by John & Frances Allan (1811)

Poe is baptized & christened Edgar Allan Poe (1812)

Poe enters the University of Virginia at Charleston. Later this year, he discovers his childhood sweetheart, Elmira Royster, has wed (1826)

Poe & John Allan feud over Poe's gambling debts & Poe leaves for Baltimore. Later this year, Poe enlists in the U.S. Army. (1827)

Frances Allan dies. Later this year, Poe decides to leave the army & apply to West Point. (1829)

Poe enters West Point (1830)

Poe gets himself kicked out of West Point. Poe's brother also dies this year (1831)

John Allan dies. Poe's name is omitted from his will (1834)

Poe marries his cousin Virginia Clemm (1836)

Poe receives fame for his tale, "The Gold Bug," (1843)

Poe's most famous poem, "The Raven," becomes a sensation (1845)

Virginia Clemm Poe dies from tuberculosis (1847)

Poe courts Sarah Helena Whitman and they become engaged. The wedding is later called off due to Poe's excessive drinking (1848)

Poe discovers Elmira Royster is now widowed and asks for her hand. She agrees, but Poe dies before they can wed (1849)