How did Edgar Allen Poe die?Was he murdered?

-- Anonymous, May 01, 2000

Answers

there is a lot of confusion on how he died a lot of people say he died due to conjestion of the brain

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2000

Joanna,

Perhaps I am just playing with semantics here but, technically speaking, there is very little confusion over the death of Edgar Allan Poe. I will say that there is an abundance of supposition, speculation, presumption and books full of sheer guesswork. But there is very little confusion.

Edgar Allan Poe died in Washington College Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland on October 7, 1849 and was attended by Dr. John J Moran who indicated that he had died of congestion of the brain. No autopsy was performed and his remains were removed for burial on the 9th of October, 1849 to the Presbyterian Church Cemetery, known today as the Westminster Burying Ground.

Currently, there are three theories based on varying degrees of research. The first is the Alcohol theory, second the Medical Illness theory and the third is the Cooping theory. You can read about these three at the URL address:

http://www.eapoe.org/geninfo/poedeath.htm

There is a fourth of more recent origin. In 1996, Dr. R. Michael Benitez, after a case study of Poes condition, symptoms and behavior as recorded 150 years ago by Dr. John J Moran during Poes four day stay in the hospital, feels that Edgar Allan Poe most likely died of rabies.

Personally, I lean toward the Cooping theory but only because I find it palatable for now. Quite frankly, no one really knows for sure.

-- Anonymous, May 02, 2000

Rabies

-- Anonymous, May 19, 2000

Dr. Benitez learned most of what he put in his report from the accounts of Dr. Moran. One point that contributes to the rabies theory is that Poe had hydrophobia. Dr. Moran did state that Poe had trouble swallowing water put if you read his book, "Defense of Poe" you will see that Dr. Moran also reported that Poe's condition got better and after a while he was able to swallow water with no trouble. This clearly disproves the theory that Poe had rabies because hydrophobia was one of Dr. Benitez's main points for argument. However it should be noted that Dr. Moran told different stories to his friends and the public. So Dr. Moran is not a very reliable source. You have to make up your own mind if the story is true or not.

-- Anonymous, March 01, 2001

Edgar Allan Poe died of Rabbies it is a proven fact you fag

-- Anonymous, April 17, 2001

Well, I belive from my studies Edgar Allen Poe died from congestion of the brain on october 7,1849.

Thanks

-- Anonymous, January 25, 2002

What is congestion of the brain?

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2002

you assholes are both wrong

-- Anonymous, October 04, 2002

I died from choking on a fishbone you fucks. Why did they not fully autopsysize me when I died? Damn fools!

-- Anonymous, October 22, 2002

I think that he probably died of rabies..... well what is congestion of the brain anyway? and mabey he killed himself.... i really have no idea!

-- Anonymous, October 28, 2002

I BELIVE THAT HE DIED FROM HEART PROBLEMS BUT THE ONLY REASON HE HAD HEART PROBLEMS IS BECAUSE HE WAS TAKING DRUGS.

-- Anonymous, November 10, 2002

what the hell is the congestion of the brain?

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2002

I BELEIVE THE CAUSE OF HIS DEATH WAS BECAUSE OF THE COOPING THEORY

-- Anonymous, May 13, 2003

Poe died of the acute inability to continue breathing.

-- Anonymous, September 06, 2003

I think that he died of many problems both cause by hereditary genes, and his drinking problem. His mother died of Tuberculosis, so its in his genes. If that didnt kill him, and since he was found outside a tavern, it is to assume that he drank his last cup of beer. He probably got drunk and fell. That could have shocked him, causing his heart to have stopped and he couldve been dead. If you have a heart attack then you wouldnt be able to do things.

-- Anonymous, November 04, 2003

I shot dat nigga.............I gave em 9,,like 50.

-- Anonymous, November 20, 2003

The theory that i personally believe is diabetes. If you look at the facts, and find out what happened and where he was found. You'll see that he probably went into a diabetic coma and soon died in the hospital after he was found.

-- Anonymous, November 23, 2003

Good Question.

-- Anonymous, January 13, 2004

Heart Problems

-- Anonymous, June 29, 2004

I belive that E.A.P died of cogestion of the brain as well, all though the Dr. that observed him had some very good points

-- Anonymous, September 06, 2004

i heard that it he death was caused by congestion of the brain, but my lit teacher said that it was from rabies, i really don't know

-- Anonymous, September 08, 2004