Arielle Cruz
The death of Edgar Allan Poe has been shrouded in mystery since he was found delirious and disheveled in a tavern in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 3, 1849. The cause of his death has been a subject of much speculation, with theories ranging from rabies to alcohol withdrawal, suicide, murder, cholera, hypoglycemia, syphilis, tuberculosis, influenza, brain tumors, and even voter fraud coercion. While some evidence suggests that Poe may have died from rabies, possibly contracted from one of his pets, others dispute this claim and believe that alcohol played a significant factor in his demise. The mystery surrounding Poe's death continues to captivate and intrigue, leaving us with a real-life enigma that may never be fully solved.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | 7 October 1849 |
| Age at Death | 39 or 40 |
| Cause of Death | Rabies, possibly from one of his pets; encephalitic rabies; brain tumour; brain cancer; phrenitis; swelling of the brain; alcohol withdrawal; cooping; murder; cholera; hypoglycemia; syphilis; tuberculosis; influenza; suicide |
| Circumstances | Found delirious and disheveled at a tavern in Baltimore, Maryland, on 3 October 1849 |
| Treatment | Treated for apparent intoxication; difficulty drinking water when hospitalized; possibly hydrophobia, a symptom of rabies |
| Burial | Buried at the back of Westminster Hall and Burying Ground; remains moved to a new grave with a larger monument in 1875 |
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What You'll Learn
Rabies symptoms exhibited by Poe
The death of Edgar Allan Poe has remained a mystery, with many theories surrounding the cause of his demise. One of the most notable theories is that Poe exhibited symptoms of rabies before his death.
Poe was found delirious and disheveled at a tavern in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 3, 1849. He was taken to the hospital, where he exhibited difficulty drinking water, which could be a sign of hydrophobia, a common symptom of rabies. During his hospital stay, Poe experienced delirium with tremors and hallucinations, followed by a period of lucidity, and then a return to delirium, becoming combative and requiring restraint. These symptoms are consistent with those of rabies, as noted by physicians at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Poe's symptoms included delirium, which is a common symptom of rabies and could indicate brain inflammation caused by the virus. The writer was also reported to have had tremors and hallucinations, which are not characteristic of alcoholism but can be seen in rabies patients. Additionally, he may have contracted rabies from one of his pets, as it was suggested that he could have had the virus for up to a year before showing any symptoms.
However, there is some debate surrounding the rabies theory. Some sources claim that there was no evidence of hydrophobia, as Poe was reported to have been drinking water in the hospital until his death. Additionally, there was no evidence of an animal bite, although some individuals with rabies do not recall being bitten.
While the true cause of Poe's death may never be known with certainty, the symptoms he exhibited, including delirium, tremors, hallucinations, and combativeness, led physicians to believe that rabies was the most likely explanation.
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Alcohol withdrawal as a cause
The death of Edgar Allan Poe has been a subject of intrigue for many, with the exact cause remaining a mystery. While theories such as rabies, murder, cholera, suicide, brain tumours, and alcohol abuse have been proposed, alcohol withdrawal as a cause of his death has also been considered.
Poe was known to be a heavy drinker, and his age, coupled with his alcohol usage, could have been detrimental to his health. Some sources suggest that Poe had abstained from drinking for six months before his death, which may have led to severe withdrawal symptoms. It is important to note that alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening and can cause delirium tremens (DTs), a condition characterised by confusion, agitation, fever, and hallucinations. These symptoms are similar to those exhibited by Poe before his death.
Additionally, the context in which Poe was found adds to the speculation. He was discovered delirious and disheveled at a tavern in Baltimore, Maryland, and was treated for apparent intoxication. However, it is unclear whether this state of intoxication was due to alcohol consumption or the result of alcohol withdrawal. Poe's behaviour could be indicative of the confusion and agitation associated with DTs, especially if he had been experiencing prolonged withdrawal symptoms during his reported period of abstinence.
Furthermore, the impact of alcohol withdrawal on the body can be significant. It can cause a range of symptoms, including anxiety, seizures, and, in severe cases, hallucinations and delirium. The delirium associated with alcohol withdrawal can lead to aggressive behaviour, confusion, and an altered mental state, all of which were observed in Poe during his hospitalisation.
While alcohol withdrawal may have played a role in Poe's death, it is essential to consider other factors as well. The presence of other underlying health conditions, such as brain tumours or rabies, could have been exacerbated by the stress of alcohol withdrawal, contributing to his demise.
In conclusion, while the exact cause of Edgar Allan Poe's death may never be known with certainty, alcohol withdrawal could have been a significant contributing factor. The combination of his heavy drinking, advanced age, and the sudden cessation of alcohol consumption may have resulted in severe withdrawal symptoms, including delirium tremens, ultimately leading to his untimely death.
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Cooping and voter fraud
The death of Edgar Allan Poe on October 7, 1849, has been a mystery for almost two centuries, with the cause of death and the circumstances leading to it remaining unclear. Theories range from suicide, murder, cholera, hypoglycemia, rabies, syphilis, tuberculosis, influenza, brain tumors, meningitis, heart failure, carbon monoxide poisoning, and the 19th-century practice of cooping—a form of voter fraud.
Cooping was a method of voter fraud practiced by gangs in the 19th century, specifically in Baltimore where Poe was found. It involved kidnapping unsuspecting victims, often homeless people, and forcing them to vote for a specific candidate multiple times under multiple disguised identities. The victims were held in a small room called "the coop," where they were given free alcohol and drugs to force their compliance. They were then taken to various polling locations, often in disguise, to cast multiple votes. Voter fraud was extremely common in Baltimore during the mid-1800s, and the polling site where Poe was found delirious and disheveled was known to be a place where coopers brought their victims. The fact that Poe was wearing clothes that didn't belong to him and was found on election day has led some to believe that he was a victim of cooping.
While the rabies theory has gained support from some experts, including Dr. R. Michael Benitez, who suggested that Poe's death most likely resulted from rabies, possibly contracted from one of his pets, the curator of the Poe House Museum in Baltimore, Jeff Jerome, has supported the cooping theory. Jerome suggested that doctors at the time would have been influenced by preconceived notions of Poe's lifestyle, which may have impacted their diagnosis.
Other theories about Poe's death include alcohol withdrawal, as he was found in a tavern and treated for apparent intoxication, although evidence of the influence of alcohol is strongly disputed. Rufus Wilmot Griswold, a rival of Poe, depicted him as a depraved, drunk, drug-addled madman in a biography, although much of the evidence for this image is believed to have been forged.
Poe's death remains a mystery, and it is unlikely that we will ever know the exact cause with certainty.
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Brain tumour and brain swelling
The cause of Edgar Allan Poe's death has been a mystery for over 150 years, with theories ranging from murder to infectious diseases like rabies, alcoholism, brain fever, and carbon monoxide poisoning. However, recent evidence suggests that Poe may have died from brain cancer, possibly a brain tumour, which could explain his dramatic death.
Poe's death certificate listed the cause of death as "phrenitis", or swelling of the brain. Newspapers at the time also reported his death as "congestion of the brain" or "cerebral inflammation", which were often used as euphemisms for deaths from disgraceful causes such as alcoholism. While it is true that Poe struggled with alcoholism and opium addiction, this theory of his cause of death has been disputed. His drinking companion, Thomas Mayne Reid, stated that Poe "never went beyond the innocent mirth in which we all indulge". Furthermore, Dr Moran, Poe's physician, contradicted the alcoholism theory, stating that Poe "had not the slightest odour of liquor upon his breath or person".
Poe's mysterious death has been the subject of many theories, and some believe that he may have had a brain tumour. Matthew Pearl, author of 'The Poe Shadow', spent three years researching Poe and his theory is supported by Professor James Hutchisson, a Poe expert at the Citadel Military College in South Carolina. Hutchisson states that "if you look back at the rest of his life and his physical condition and ailments, it backs up the idea that he suffered from a brain tumour". This theory is given further credence by the fact that, 26 years after his death, when Poe's body was exhumed, onlookers reported that his shrunken brain was still visible inside his skull, appearing "dried and hardened". A gravedigger who handled Poe's remains also reported hearing something hard rattling around inside Poe's skull, which could have been the calcified remains of a brain tumour.
While brain swelling and brain tumours are possible causes of Poe's death, it is important to note that without a thorough autopsy, the exact cause of his demise may never be known.
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Murder, suicide, or other causes
The death of Edgar Allan Poe has been shrouded in mystery for almost two centuries. The writer was found delirious and disheveled at a tavern in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 3, 1849, and died four days later at the age of 40. While the cause of death on his certificate listed phrenitis, or swelling of the brain, there has been much speculation about the true cause of his demise.
One of the most popular theories is that Poe died from rabies, possibly contracted from one of his pets. This theory is supported by the fact that Poe exhibited classic symptoms of rabies, including delirium, tremors, hallucinations, and combativeness. Additionally, rabies victims can have the virus for up to a year after contracting it, which could explain why there was no evidence of an animal bite. However, some have disputed this theory, noting that Poe was reported to have been drinking water in the hospital, which is unusual for someone with hydrophobia, a common symptom of rabies.
Another theory is that Poe was a victim of "cooping," a form of voter fraud practiced by gangs in the 19th century. It is believed that Poe was kidnapped, forced to drink alcohol, and used to vote for a specific candidate multiple times under different disguises. This theory explains Poe's disheveled appearance and the fact that he was found delirious on Election Day.
Other theories include suicide, murder, cholera, hypoglycemia, syphilis, tuberculosis, influenza, brain tumor, and alcohol withdrawal. Some have even suggested that Poe's death was caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or Korsakoff's psychosis, a condition often associated with heavy drinking and poor diet.
While the exact cause of Poe's death may never be known, his mysterious demise has only added to the intrigue surrounding his life and work.
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Frequently asked questions
Edgar Allan Poe was found delirious and disheveled at a tavern in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 3, 1849. He was treated for apparent intoxication and died on October 7 at the age of 40 without giving any account of how he came to be in that condition.
Theories about the cause of Edgar Allan Poe's death include rabies, suicide, murder, cholera, hypoglycemia, syphilis, tuberculosis, influenza, brain tumor, alcohol withdrawal, carbon monoxide poisoning, and cooping.
Physicians at the University of Maryland Medical Center believe that Edgar Allan Poe exhibited classic symptoms of rabies, including delirium with tremors and hallucinations, followed by a period of calm and lucidity, and then a lapse back into delirium. They also noted that he had difficulty drinking water, which is a common symptom of rabies known as hydrophobia or fear of water.
