Total Loneliness

Celebrate Poe

Episode 166 is called Total Loneliness - the loneliness that Poe and his sister must have felt at the desertion of their father, as well as the tragic death of their mother. George and the character of the ghost of Mr. Poe discuss the nature of biography upon a writer - how his or her life influences that person’s literary works. The birth of Poe is discussed, as well as the career (and difficult life) of his mother.

• Where was Edgar Poe born?
• Why is Poe often referred to as “histionic”?
• Where was Eliza Poe from?
• Who did Eliza marry first?
• Who is John Howard Payne?
• Who was Poe’s older brother?
• Who was Poe’s younger sister?
• Who was “General” Poe?
• Why is it suggested that Poe would later leave Richmond for Boston?

• 00:01 Introduction
• 00:45 Poe: A Life Cut Short by Peter Ackroyd
• 02:18 Discussion of how a writer’s life affects his works
• 04:47 Poe’s birth in Boston
• 05:38 The Histrionic Mr. Poe
• 06:56 Eliza Poe
• 11:52 Marriage to Charles Hopkins
• 12:07 Marriage to David Poe
• 13:36 Alcoholism and distress
• 16:19 Henry Poe
• 17:00 “General” Poe
• 19:05 Rosalie Poe
• 20:32 John Howard Payne
• 21:24 Death of Eliza
• 27:10 Future episode
• 27:20 Sources
• 27:45 Outro