Throughout history, there have been brilliant minds who changed our lives, whether we knew it or not. These minds, such as Isaac Newton, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Albert Einstein, have all contributed to society with their vast knowledge on different topics. Some brilliant minds are not recognized for their effect on society until long after their lives are over. One of the individuals in particular is named Edgar Allan Poe. Most people, when asked what they know about man, conjure up images of horror and darkness that they have learned to associate with man. Many considered him a tortured alcoholic and drug addict, but there is much more to be said about the man who single-handedly created so much literary success, even if he didn't benefit much from it. It was ahead of its time with its thought-provoking looks at the human experience, delving into the world of dreams and the mind's eye and opening up a whole new world for readers. He was a literary genius, but that genius was a blessing and a curse. From his tortured and loss-filled life through his constant failures, he has been said to have lived a mysterious life that led to an even more mysterious death. The story of Edgar Allan Poe may be considered a tragedy by some, but the man was an intellect whose work endured for over a century after his death. On January 19, Edgar Poe was born in Boston, Massachusetts to David and Elizabeth Poe. , both actors. His father left the family in 1810 when Edgar was only one year old. His mother died on December 8, 1811 of tuberculosis, also called phthisis, surrounded by her children. He had very few memories of her, but the effects of her death remained with him for many years to come. Poe was… at the center of the card… he definitely has a happy ending, but it is also perfectly acceptable to look into the darker side of the world. Sometimes it is in those scary sides of the world that we become aware of the good that is still out there. He delved into the pain of the human experience and one could say that in doing so he showed the beauty of it. Without pain and suffering people would not be able to see the beauty of life and all it has to offer. He was an exceptional writer who will be remembered for years and decades to come. Works Cited Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Sad and infinite memory. New York, NY: HarperCollins, 1991. Print.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edgar_allan_poehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_RavenMeyers, Jeffrey. Edgar Allan Poe: His Life and Legacy. New York: Cooper Square, 2000. Print.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6IiusT-Seo