The Life and Times of Edgar Allen Poe

'The Life and Times of Edgar Allan Poe: Volume II' is an expansive and evocative exploration of the later life of one of America’s most influential and mysterious literary icons. Written by Hervey Allen, this volume continues the meticulous chronological study of Poe’s career, focusing on the period of his greatest creative output and his most profound personal struggles. The work delves into the complex psychological and social landscape that shaped Poe’s development as a master of the macabre, a pioneer of the detective story, and a revolutionary critic. Through detailed research, Allen reconstructs the literary circles of the mid-19th century, illustrating Poe’s turbulent relationships with contemporaries and his persistent battle against poverty and professional isolation. The narrative provides crucial context for the composition of his most enduring works, including 'The Raven' and his late short stories, while examining the devastating loss of his wife, Virginia, and his final, tragic days. This biography is valued not only for its historical accuracy but also for its narrative power, offering a vivid portrait of a genius caught between the demands of his art and the harsh realities of his environment. It remains an essential resource for anyone seeking to understand the man behind the legend of the dark romanticist.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.