I have a few questions about Poe and his life in general (hint the reason it is in the "Life of Poe- General" section.) But thats beside the point, i was just wondering the following: 1- His most famous works and why 2- Did he recieve any awards? 3- His marital status/history. As in his wife/wives, children, or any other relationships he had. Sorry for the random questions, I have a project I am doing for school, as well as for my own personal interest. I have always been interested in his works ever since I read "A Tale Tell Heart." I have been any of his other works I have been able to get my hands on. Again, I appologise for the randomness(and the horrible grammar/ spelling)I would be very appreciative of any feed back I can get from you. Thank you and goodbye, -Amanda

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2005

Answers

I am not sure about all of your questions but I know that he was married to his 13-15 year old cousin, and she died of Turbuculosus, and it took her about 3 years to pass. I also know that while he was a live he didn't reciee any awards, he wasnt that popular when he was alive. Like most good writers, they unrofotunatly get more attention once they die..

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2005

As for awards- there were few on the budding American scene. Even the idea of poet laureate didn't begin until Tennyson. Poe did win a couple of important contests with "A Ms. Found in a Bottle"(second place for his poem which prize the editor won provoking a fist fight) and later in his prime with "The Gold Bug". These were magazine sponsored contests remarkable only in the famous tales they acknowledged and in boosting Poe's fame and career. "The Raven" was his biggest boost. See ALL his works, famous and otherwise at www.eapoe.org.

Poe's love life. Mother died when he was a tot, his friend's mother who mentored him- Mrs. Stanard, his guardian mother Mrs. Allan, both died before his career started. His fiance, Elen Royster was married off to someone else provoking a severe emotional crisis that led him to marrying his cousin Virginia Clemm. All these women except his mother he did not know inspired poems and elements in his tales. Love lost and the lady dead themes suited Poe's personal melancholic muse to a t. He liked kids but had no offspring or any known adulterous relationships(which perversely provokes yet more slanderous presumptions by dumb critics whose only sense of creative imagination is pretty limited). Poverty and career falterings were worse than his alcoholism.

Check out a good autobiography. The modern ones are more sympathetic and accurate considering the damage done by Poe's enemies to his reputation after death. Most likely your simple understandings of Poe are wrong and indaequate as they are for most people and all too many critics.

All of his works consistently represent his muse and ideas and artistic genius. The most popular, besides fancy and sensationalism are superior examples of his craft but the ranking system is diffidult. Poems like "To Helen"(first and shorter one based on the death of Mrs. Stanard) and "Alone" and "Ulalume"(Based on Virginia's death) have risen above the "scary" classic "The Raven". In fact I begin to apreciate many of his smaller gems more and more with study, which oddly does not apply to the other Romantic poets in equal depth. He had a natural depth and intricate weaving of word sound and symbol as well as ingenious nbnatural structuring happily freed from the classical restraints though his mind was powerfully structured. So much so that they vastly overpower the "inspiration" of his personal experiences which so consume the interpretations of most readers today. What you have is an intensely natural and genuine poet whose art transcends life. Again, some people find this discovery a let down from the notion of a direct and complete correspondence between art and reality. For Poe and his poems it is the intense emotion and the beauty of the vehicle that is pre-eminent while few of his works are empty exercises.

-- Anonymous, February 11, 2005

The Raven-published in 1845, became famous then, especially to women, who were endeared by his love for Lenore-is probably his most famous work. Also Annabel Lee which is also about the death of a beautiful woman. I'm not sure about his famous short-stories other than a Tale Tell Heart. I'm not sure about the awards, but i know that he married his 13 year old cousin, Virginia Clemm when he was 26 (that was normal for the time) and they were very much in love until she died in 1847 of tubercleosis.

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2005

He also proposed to Helen Whittman in a graveyard before he married Virginia. While they shared the same intrests (poetry, death...) he wanted to marry her for financial security. He convinced her to say yes. But his adopted father stopped it. He maintained that Virginia Clemm was the only woman he ever loved. I hope I helped you on your report. And good luck!

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2005

Thank you all so very much, it helps tremendously. I will be sure to let you all know how my project goes, if you would care to hear about such. Thank you once again and many times over.
With all gratitude,
-Amanda

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2005