I am working on a project about Edgar Allan Poe and the only thing that seems unclear to me is his death. There are so many rumors about his death. I don't know which to believe. I am hoping you can clear up all this confusion. Sincerely, KAT

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

Answers

The reason I can't is the same reason there are so many theories. No one has evidence for the lost time or a modern diagnosis of Poe's last illness. The best short analysis of what we do have is to be found at www.eapoe.org. It would seem reasonable that Poe blundered into a "cooping" operation on election day. Shanghaied, forced to change clothes and identities, cooped up and dragged to vote in different places, plied with threats and drink, the already distraught and ill Poe succumbed to illness. Then he was dumped at a bar and no one obviously wanted to take credit for his death. Symptoms betray extensive damage done by alcoholism. He raved mostly. Reports of his last words have been greatly edited and embellished by the attending physician as he progressed from one speaking engagement to another. Anything else seems grasping at straws The recent theory of rabies for example does not bear up all that well in comparison.

-- Anonymous, May 06, 2002

WELL, ACTUALLY POE DIED OF ACHOAL. HE WAS A HEAVY DRINKER AND ONE DAY CAMR OUT OF A PUB IN BALTIMORE AND FEEL TO THE GROUND, THEY FOUND HIM SHAKING AND OUT OF BREATH. HE 3 HRS. LATER DIED IN A HOSPITAL NEAR BY. AND THAT IS WHAT I FOUND OUT ON WWW.GOOGLE.COM THANKS!! AND GOOD LUCK!! *aMy StEgEr* ( AKA: aMeS*) Houston, Texas

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2002

There are quite a few rumors. To see quite a few of them, go to http://www.poemuseum.org/poes_life/death_myths.html. There are some other really great sites that give backing medical information.

Good luck on your search....

-- Anonymous, February 14, 2003