Edgar Allan PoeIn the short essay Russell Baker starts out as a child who is confused and doesn't like English or any topic related to English lessons. After reading the subject of a story he was assigned the task of writing. The topic brought back memories for Baker and made him think of an experience in his life. The results Baker received from his teacher Mr.Fleagle and his classmates. Baker realized that he could give people entertainment through his writing. In a similar relationship Eolgar Allen Poe also experienced a difficult childhood, with both of his parents dying around the same time. Being placed in orphanages had a great influence on Poe. He never let that stop him, because he had no free time or extra energy. Poe used it in writing poetry. The short life of the brilliant writer Edgar Allen Poe began on January 19, 1809 in Boston, Massachusetts. Poe was the second son of actor David Poe Jr. and actress Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins Poe. David Poe was far from the ideal father. He was an avid drinker and eventually abandoned his family in December 1810, forcing Elizabeth Poe into the position of the family's sole breadwinner. Poe's mother supported him and his younger sister, Rosalie, until her death on December 8, 1811, from tuberculosis. In 1812 Poe's orphaned children found homes. Little Rosalie was adopted by the Mackenzie family while Edgar was welcomed by the Allans in Richmond. Edgar was raised as a son by the Allans but was never officially adopted by them. On March 18, 1827, an ongoing conflict between Poe and Allan erupted, resulting in Poe's return to his hometown of Boston. Poe enlisted in the United States Army in mid-1827. Poe served at Fort Independence in Boston, Fort Moultrie in Charleston, and Fort Monroe in Virginal. Poe's "acting" mother, Frances Allan, died on February 28, 1829. Poe was discharged from the army on April 15, 1829. In May 1831 Poe moved in with his aunt Maria Clemm and his nine-year-old cousin Virginia; who would later become his wife. While living with her aunt Poe renewed her relationship with her older brother Henry. Henry died later that year of tuberculosis. From 1829 until his death Poe spent most of his energies writing magazine articles and trying to launch his career as a legitimate author/poet..