Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe Biography

Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe was the wife of the famous American writer Edgar Allan Poe, who is best known for his poetry and tales of mystery and macabre. Their marriage became the topic of discussion because of the fact that they were first cousins and when they got married, she was just 13 years old and Edgar 26. She came from a poor and humble background and lived as a devoted wife to her husband who flirted with older women. Unfortunately, she fell ill with tuberculosis and had to suffer for the last five years of her life, till her death at the age of 24. Her relationship with her husband became a subject of debate as they had no children and behaved more like a brother and sister. What is apparent from Poe’s work is that he was inspired by the young age and sufferings of his wife that became the theme for most of his poetry and writing. He was so shocked by the death of Virginia that he took to heavy drinking after her death, till he too died of tuberculosis. Virginia will always remain an example of the impact that a devoted wife can have on her husband. Even though he flirted while she was still alive, and courted other women after she was dead, he could never strike up another meaningful relationship because he was deeply enamored by the beauty and simplicity of his wife.