The Demise Of Edgar Allan Poe

Everybody knows about the legacy of Edgar Allan Poe, a literary genius renowned for gruesome tales and haunting poetry that explored the darkness of the human psyche in depth. His works have continued to captivate the imagination of readers for years. While he led a truly mysterious life, his death brings forth even more mystique and perplexity. 

In this blog, we will ponder over the different theories surrounding the untimely demise of Edgar Allan Poe, his tragic life, and his final days.

The Tragic Life

It is important to note the difficult life Poe led in order to better understand the events leading to his death. Since his early days, Poe had experienced much sorrow and loss. After his father abandoned him and his mother died early, his life was filled with depression and hopelessness. The highlighted themes of loss, death, and the supernatural are frequently observed in Poe’s works, which could reflect his personal feelings and experiences.

Due to his financial and personal struggles, Poe’s work life was incredibly hampered. He was perpetually poor and struggled to make a decent income from his writings, despite the few recognitions he achieved during his lifetime. Even with all of his brilliance and talent, it is quite sad that the writer never found success throughout his adult life.

The Last Days

Before we go through the speculations regarding the legendary author’s death, we need to learn about what he went through in the days leading to it.

Poe left Richmond, Virginia, in September of 1849, headed towards Philadelphia in hopes of meeting up with his fiancée, Elmira Royster Shelton. But Poe never made it to Philadelphia; instead, on October 3^rd, 1849, he was found unconscious outside a pub in Baltimore, Maryland.

Theories and Speculations

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

One of the theories out there suggests that Poe’s death was caused due to exposure to toxic gases. Because Poe’s body was found wearing someone else’s clothes, some say that he might have been left to die in an unventilated area after a robbery. This is a debatable matter, however, because there is a lack of evidence.

Alcoholism or Substance Abuse

Another theory suggests that a long-going struggle with alcohol may have resulted in Poe’s demise. It is a known fact that Poe battled an alcohol addiction most of his life, which may have created the weakened state which caused his death.

Rabies

A strange yet interesting theory has recently emerged that suggests that Poe may have died after contracting rabies. The symptoms he showed during his final days align with the symptoms of the late stages of the disease. They include confusion, hallucinations, and delirium. This also remains a speculation as there is no concrete evidence to support it.

Cooping

In the 19^th century, for rigging votes during elections, cooping was a commonly used method. This theory suggests that Poe was drugged, abducted, and forced to vote in different disguises multiple times. He apparently died as a result of the physical and mental stress of this experience.

Some say that Poe voted 14 times in the 1849 elections for a bottle of whiskey each time. Despite being theoretical, this notion cannot be completely ruled out, given how common cooping was at that period of time.

So, What Was It Then?

Despite all the theories and speculations, the real reason for Edgar Allan Poe’s death may never be known. By reflecting on his life and work, we can remember Poe as the maestro he was of his craft, whose mysterious end only adds to the appeal that surrounds his legacy.

While we may never know the real reason for his death, his literary works will live on forever. With that being said, there is a certain author that is putting a new twist on the subject. The Golden Watch by Pavel Cerny delves into the mysterious and macabre as the reader uncovers the truth behind the demise of one of the greatest authors of our time.