Thesis: Edgar Allan Poe was one of the most influential, but misunderstood, writers of American literature.I. His early lifeA. His adoption B. His educationII. His later lifeA. Published booksB. Military life III. The conclusion of his lifeA. His marriageB. His deathIV. His worksV. What Others Thought of Him Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer, known as a poet and critic, but most famous as the first master of the short story form, especially mysterious and macabre tales. Since his early death, the literary qualities of Poe's writings have been disputed, but his works have remained popular and he influenced many important American and European writers. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Poe was orphaned in his early childhood and was raised by John Allan. , a successful businessman from Richmond, Virginia. Brought by the Allan family to England at the age of six, Poe was enrolled in a private school. Upon returning to the United States in 1820, he continued to study in private schools. He attended the University of Virginia for a year, but in 1827 his adoptive father, unhappy with the young man's drinking and gambling, refused to pay his debts and forced Poe to work as a bookkeeper. (Anderson, 9-22).Poe left this job, which infuriated John Allan. Poe then left and moved to Boston. There he published his first book, Tamerlane and Other Poems. Subsequently, Poe enlisted in the United States Army and served for two years. Poe published his second book of poems, Al Araaf in 1829. Poe then reunited with Allan, who obtained him an appointment to the United States Military Academy. After only a few months at the academy, Poe was fired for negligence, and John Allan permanently disowned him (Anderson, 23-34).P......middle paper......nius." (Regan, 1 ) While some loved him, others despised him, almost everyone recognized the value of his works Allan Poe New York: Twayne Publishers, Inc., 1961 The collection of poems and short stories of Edgar Allan Poe New York: The Modern Library, 1992. Stories and Complete Poems of Edgar Allan Poe: Doubleday & Company, Inc, 1966. Fisher, Benjamin F. The Cambridge Introduction to Edgar Allan Poe Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Print. Kesterson, David B., ed. Poe A Collection of Critical Essays. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc, 1967.Stoudt, Ashley, ed., 2000.