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Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19th, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. Poe became an orphan at an early age of two years old, his mother died. His father had disappeared just before his mother's death. Edgar was raised as an orphan by Frances Allan, and her husband John Allan in Richmond, Virginia. Edgar spent almost seven years with the Allan family. He also attended a boarding school in England durring this time. Edgar began to gamble while away at school. He was known, too, for a drinking addiction. Edgar had a peculiar custom with his name. He was never formally adopted by the Allan family, which was entirely his parent's decision. Poe was disappointed by this fact. For this reason, during most of his life Edgar did not include "Allan" in his name. His own words were that the name, "was not his and he did not deserve it until he was formally adopted." The most he ever acknowledged the fact he was adopted was by adding "A." to his name. It was not until after his death that "Edgar Allan Poe" became the name that was mot popularly used. When Edgar turned eighteen he went to Boston and published his first set of poems. Shortly after this Edgar enlisted in the army. After two years of service, Edgar visited his foster father John, to learn that his foster mother had died. John soon remarried, and Edgar lost all hope of any further support from him. Edgar left the army after deciding that it was not the proper career for him. Poe felt that his life by this point was headed downhill. In 1831, Edgar published another set of poems. He was now living with his Aunt Maria Clemm and his cousin Virginia. Edgar never shook his gambling habits and was in fear of imprisonment because of debt.
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