The Dark Poems and Stories of Poe Edgar Allan Poe was a writer and poet born in the United States. His writing helped spearhead the American Romantic movement and is also frightening subject matter. Poe's attraction subjects was deeply personal. His parents died during his youth. As a result, Poe spent much of his early life grieving over their deaths. Although he was adopted by John Allan, a tobacco merchant, conflicts over Poe's gambling habits caused Poe to break from the Allan family and join the military. After being discharged from the armed services, Poe worked as a writer and editor but lost many jobs due to his drinking. He eventually went to live with his aunt and married his much younger Cousin