My english teacher told me that Poe was allergic to alcohol and him being an alcoholic was propaganda made up by the media. He believes that Poe had died of rabies from the symptoms Poe claimed he had prior to his death. Is it true that he may have died of rabies and was really allergic of alcohol?

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2002

Answers

Little certainty may be held in regards to the dissolution of Edgar Allan Poe, leaving his fellows with what speculation they may raise to light. However, there are those who believe it was rabies, others argue alcohol poisoning, some suggest murder, and still countless others hold myriad theories. Should it help at all, I can provide that of which we are cognizant concerning his final days. He was recovered from a gutter on Broadway Street in Baltimore, Maryland on the 3 of October, 1849. There he lingered for 4 days until finally meeting his end on the seventh. The following link provides the difficulty in establishing the cause of his death: http://www.eapoe.org/geninfo/poebiog.htm. I hope that in some manner I have helped you, but I am afraid that there is no secure answer to the question of what it was that sent Edgar Allan Poe to his grave.

All Respects and Regards,

-- Anonymous, June 25, 2002

Rabies does not seem to hold up even as speculation. He had no hydrophobia in his last days. Alcohol damage added to poverty, stress seems indicated by several health conditions especially in his latter years, including heart, hypoglycemic symtoms among others. Poe's own comments about episodes, binges and the DT's leave no doubt that he went beyond the first disastrous drink(exhibiting the addictive "allergy") during several periods in his life.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 2002