Edgar Allen Poe's Rabies Theory

Edgar Allen Poe, a famous author of the 19th century, has always been well-known for his dark and mysterious stories. Orphaned at a young age, Poe was adopted by the Allen family, who liked him at first; however they grew to resent him as he became an avid gambler, constantly asking for money. Throughout his life, Poe had trouble with alcohol and was frequently in need of money. It seems fitting; that Poe seemed to have died in a way that no one is quite sure what caused his death, since he was so famous for his mysterious stories. All we know for sure is that he was found in a semi-conscious state in a tavern, brought to a hospital where he experienced various symptoms, and died a few days after. The two most common theories are that he died

This is essential for someone to contract the disease. The rabies theory also does not make sense because in those days rabies was a well-known disease: “Rabies was well known as to causes and symptoms, including itching and other sensations that could affect an entire limb or side of body. How could Dr. Moran (the doctor that took care of Poe in the hospital in the days before he died) and his staff ignore such symptoms in a patient?” (Pollin and Benedetto, 189). Some might argue that Poe’s cat gave him the disease, but Caterina showed no signs of rabies, and died of starvation because she was deserted after Poe’s death. There is no strong evidence to attribute Poe’s death to rabies, so he must’ve died of

Poe’s life was falling apart: “Poe’s one refuge in life was threatened when Virgina (his wife) became ill with tuberculosis. When she died, Poe broke down completely” (Edgar Allen Poe, 180). Therefore he turned to alcohol to self-medicate his grief. Poe had a history with alcohol, his Uncle refused to take over his care when he was found sick in the tavern because of it: “He now refused to take over his care, saying that on former occasions, when drunk; Poe had been abusive and ungrateful” (Silverman, 185). The fact that Poe was not happy with his life and had alcohol issues show that on that day the reason he experienced those symptoms and died was because of the alcohol which he consumed in the