Born in Boston on January 19, 1809, Edgar Allan Poe is a central figure in Western literature. His life was marked by misfortune and hardship, which his work often reflects.

Shortly after Poe was born, his father abandoned the family and his mother died. This left Poe in the care of the Allans, a wealthy couple who were friends of the family. He was admitted to the University of Virginia but could not complete his studies due to lack of financial assistance and a growing mountain of gambling debts. Following a brief time in the army, Poe decided to focus exclusively on writing and literature. He married his 13-year-old cousin, Virginia Clemm, in 1836; following her death (of tuberculosis) in 1847, Poe descended into depression and substance abuse. He died in 1849 under what are still considered mysterious circumstances.

During his life, Poe worked as a writer, poet, editor, and literary critic. Although he struggled to maintain steady work, he is believed to be one of the first writers to earn a living on writing alone. His style reflects many of the ideals of Romanticism, which values emotion, imagination, and individuality over science and industrialization.