How Did Edgar Allan Poe Influence His Work?

Edgar Allan Poe is considered today one of the greatest writers to ever live. His stories influenced writing then and is still influencing writing today. He has many stories that are still very well known throughout the literature community and some of his works are even considered classics. The genre that he is best known for is the mystery genre. Over his lifetime, he produced many stories that many people love today. Many people do not know what his life was like, or why he even decided to pick up a sheet of paper and begin writing. Poe’s life was different from what most people think it would have been like since he was such a great writer. Giordano stated that Poe was born in Boston on January 19, 1809 (Giordano). When he was three years old both of his parents had passed away and he went to live with a man by the name of John Allan. John sent him to the University of Virginia with only one third of the money Poe needed for the school. Poe’s life there was not good for him. He was always in debt and always buying alcohol. At one point he was so poor he started burning his furniture to keep warm during the winter. Eventually he was in so much debt he got kicked out of the University of Virginia.
He did well in the army by achieving sergeant major. Then after achieving that Mrs. Allan died and John signed Poe’s application to West Point. When he got there, John wouldn’t send him any money so Poe started breaking rules and dismissing his duties so he would be dismissed. Poe did good in the army but he did poor at West Point because John was still being stingy with his money. Poe could have been successful in the army but John cost him that because he was too greedy. That is why Poe couldn’t succeed to the best of his ability at both, West Point and in the