Interesting Edgar Allan Poe Facts:

Edgar Allan Poe had two siblings: an older brother William Henry Leonard Poe, and a younger sister Rosalie Poe.

By the age of only 13 Edgar Allan Poe had written enough poetry that he could have published his own book.

Edgar Allan Poe's first published book (when he was only 18) was titled Tamerlane.

Edgar self-published many of his own short stories. One story won a contest sponsored by the Saturday Visitor.

After winning the contest with Saturday Visitor he continued to publish his works and the Southern Literary Messenger in Richmond hired him in an editorial position.

While working at the Southern Literary Messenger Edgar Allan Poe wrote book reviews and short stories, soon making the magazine the most popular in the south.

Poe's criticism of some of the most famous writers at the time earned him a reputation as a 'fearless critic'.

Edgar Allan Poe married Virginia Clemm when she was only 13. He was 27 at the time.

In 1837 Edgar Allan Poe moved to New York City. He had grown unhappy with his lack of editorial control at the magazine. While in New York he wrote his only novel titled The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym.

In 1844 Edgar Allan Poe published a new story about a balloon trip that crossed the ocean. It was a hoax.

In 1845 The Raven was published and Edgar Allan Poe became famous for the work.

Edgar Allan Poe bought the magazine the Broadway Journal but he soon left the city due to rumors about his love life.

Edgar Allan Poe's wife Virginia died at the age of 24. His writing career came to a halt because he was so devastated by Virginia's death.

Edgar Allan Poe died only two years later. His last two years were spent traveling and giving lectures.

The cause of Edgar Allan Poe's death is still unknown.

After his death, one of Poe's rivals Rufus Griswold wrote a scathing obituary about him. Griswold's attempt to destroy Poe posthumously failed and sales of Poe's work skyrocketed.