How old was poe when he married his thirteen year old cousin virginia and was that allowed in his state at his time and was he insane for marrying his cousin and did maria clemm approve of it?

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Answers

Stacey,

Edgar was twenty-seven when he married Virginia, aged thirteen on May 16, 1836. The wedding was conducted by the Reverend Amasa Convers in Richmond, Virginia. If I recall correctly, she did not give her age correctly though one should not necessarily draw any legal conclusions from that. Maria Poe Clemm did approve of the marriage.

If profound love and devotion for one's chosen mate is sufficient to define insanity, then they were both exquisitely mad.

Regards,

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002