I would like to know, what is the origin of Poe’s real family? I heard that his family was from Eastern Europe. I would like to know, whether it is true or not? Thanks for the answer. Denise

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

Answers

Response to Origin of PoeÂ’s real family

Denise,

Edgar Allan Poe's family has been traced back to a David and Sarah Poe of Dring, Cavan County, Ireland. David died in 1742. Edgar's mother, Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe is thought to have been from England. According to the Edgar Allan Poe Society of Baltimore, Edgar may possibly be descended from Dr. Leonard Poe, the physician for King James I and later King Charles I. There is no obvious evidence his family originated from Eastern Europe.

Best Regards,

Tis

-- Anonymous, March 09, 2001

Response to Origin of PoeÂ’s real family

Poor Dr. Leonard Poe who died in 1631 gets blamed as the progenitor of all sorts of Poe descendants. The evidence seems to be that he had no male descendants past his sons. See: The origin and early history of the family of Poore, with full pedigrees of the Irish branch of the family and a discussion of the true ancestry of Edgar Allan Poe, the American poet; Dublin, Printed for the author by Ponsonby & Gibbs, 1906.

-- Anonymous, August 01, 2002