Edgar Allan Poe, an American writer, poet, and critic, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 19, 1809. Poe was famous for his dark and gothic stories and led a rather dark and difficult life. He was an orphan adopted by John and Frances Allan of Richmond, Virginia; however, the boy's relationship with the couple was rather complicated.

Poe's primary education was in England and Virginia, and he was a good student of languages and literature. However, financial problems and a strained relationship with his foster father made him drop out of the University of Virginia after one year. In 1827, Poe joined the U.S. Army using an alias, and his first book of poems, Tamerlane and Other Poems, was published.

Poe left West Point and decided to devote himself to writing, contributing to several periodicals and magazines. His other famous stories, such as "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "The Fall of the House of Usher," were applauded, making him famous as a Gothic writer. Poe's professional career was a great success, but his personal life was entirely of alcoholism and financial problems.

Poe married his 13-year-old cousin Virginia Clemm in 1836, who played a significant role in his life and writings. She suffered from a long illness and passed away in 1847, which had a great impact on Poe and his works on the themes of death and grief. Still, Poe remained productive and created masterpieces like "The Raven," which made him famous nationwide in 1845.

The last few years of Poe's life were characterized by unbalanced behaviour and poor health. On October 3, 1849, he was discovered lying down in a state of despair on the streets of Baltimore, and he succumbed to the illness four days later. The cause of his death has not been established to this date, and people have suggested that it could have been alcoholism or rabies. Poe's significant impact can be seen through his contribution to horror and detective literature.