Edgar A. Poe: the original emo

 Emo, goth, misunderstood, and gloomy aren't just words to describe an teenager full of inner-angst, like Allyson Reynolds from the Breakfast Club or JoJo the animated character for the Dr. Seuss film "Horton Hears a Who." 

Nope, emo, goth, misunderstood, gloomy, maybe just a little bit crazy are also words to describe a famed poet and author who can adequately be deemed the creator of the misunderstood cult following.

The originator of inner angst.

If you would please stop and reflect on what you know about the man, the legend, Edgar Allan Poe. 

We already know some of the basics about Poe:

1) Poe was born on January 5, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts and died in Baltimore, Maryland on October 7, 1849.

2) He married his thirteen (That's right, you read it correctly: 13) year old cousin when he was twenty-seven (27).

3) He had a slight, kinda big obsession with the human psych. Meaning, how does a supposedly rational human being on the outside become such a grotesque villain?

4) He wrote some of the best prose novels and short stories, but, quite literally, was underpaid for them. Take "The Raven," for instance, Poe only got paid $9 for the manuscript.

5) His critically acclaimed works are often dark and gruesome. He wasn't a huge "happily ever after" fan.

Here are some things you may not know about Poe:

Edgar Allan Poe's mustache was a late edition.

1) His wife's sudden illness and equally sudden death at a young age is the reason he wrote in such a dark voice. Who can blame him?

2) Did you know Poe went to West Point? Yup, he did. He was also top in his class at the University of Virginia even though he frequently attended class drunk.
3) Also, y'know that big mustache he has? He didn't have that until the last few years of his life. Funny, somehow an unshaven Poe just doesn't seem like the ideal writer for the "Tell Tale Heart."

3) Poe's death is as mysterious as some of his novels. What historians know for sure is Poe left Richmond, Virginia, for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 27, 1849. He was found "in great distress" in Baltimore on Oct. 3 and passed away in Baltimore Hospital on Oct. 7. For a long time (and after several myths came about), fans and critics alike believed Poe had died due to alcoholism. The University of Maryland Medical Center, however, believe Poe may have died from rabies.

 Click here to find out more.

The "Poe Toaster" notoriously left gifts in honor of Poe.

Poe, then, has enough "quirks" to make him "cool" enough to be followed by a legion of fans. These fans have proven to be loyal to him even after his death. The renown "Poe Toaster" is a perfect example. Every year, on Poe's birthday, from 1949 until 2010, a single, heavily hooded man would visit Poe's grave early in the morning. He would silently leave behind a half empty bottle of cognac and 3 red roses. The man who dropped off the gifts at Poe's grave has yet to be identified and has, supposedly, passed away after missing 3 consecutive birthdays in the past few years. I have listed two separate articles for you to read further about the mysterious Poe Toaster. Please go here  or here.

A true Edgar Allan Poe signature.

Another quirk that made Poe cool enough to be followed? Poe's signature has started a whole lot of copy cat signatures. The best way to be sure you're looking at the original star's signature is to be sure it is signed "Edgar A. Poe." Poe was notorious for the rocky relationship he and his stepfather shared, so, he dropped the new middle name after severing ties with his stepfather. If a signature is signed Edgar Allan Poe, you may need to double check your sources. 

Finally, you know you've made it big in the 21st century when, a full century and a half later, you have managed to create and maintain your own twitter page. Poe's twitter page has, in turn, spurred a renewed interest in his works and in quirks. He's inspired bands and, perhaps, most importantly, a movie will be released later this year entitled The Raven, starring John Cusack. The movie will follow a Baltimore detective as he attempts to track down a murderer inspired by Poe's works.