Ssshhh! What's that noise beneath the floor? Sound familiar, maybe you have heard this revised phrase from shows like, The Simpsons or Friends. That phrase came from The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Allan Poe, who was a write ahead of his time. He produced many classic books that are still read today, but like all authors he had to start from the beginning.
             Edgar Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Baltimore, Massachusetts, to father Dave and mother Elizabeth Poe. Edgar had a brother, William Henry, and a sister, Rosaline. Shortly thereafter, his family moved to New York where his father, David Poe, resumed his acting career. David soon quit acting and abandoned his family. He died a short time later (Wagenknecht). Soon afterward, Edgar's mother, Elizabeth, developed tuberculosis at the age of twenty-four and died, "The image of his mother's young, still, white face was to haunt Edgar for the rest of his life" (Wright). A young tobacco merchant and importer from Richmond, John Allen and his wife Frances, took in Edgar. His older brother, William, was taken by his grandfather and his sister, Rosaline, was taken by another family member that lived in Richmond. They loved him like their own child. This was how Edgar received his middle name Allan, threw his new family.
             In 1815, John Allan moved his family to England and while there Edgar was sent to private school. For five years he studied in England with his new family that he loved very much. After his five years in England the Allan's moved back to America. It was said that Mrs. Allan loved Edgar very much, but the story was different with John. Although Edgar and John's relationship may have seemed at times unloving John always took care of Edgar and in return he had Edgar's respect (Wright). In 1826, Edgar went back to America; there he attended the University of Virginia. He was an outstanding student and excelled in vario...