Did Poe Really Die Essay

How Did Poe Really Die?
Edgar Allen Poe, a genius author, has a death that is very controversial. Many people believe that Poe may have died of alcoholism. On the other hand, some believe he died of a case of human rabies. However, Poe died of alcoholism. This simply makes more sense because there are many more supporting facts of this theory than the theory of death by rabies.
Many people believe Poe died of rabies, however this is not the case. As Kenneth Silverman states in his story Poe's Final Days, Poe was found very intoxicated, semi-conscious, and dressed in someone else's clothes (184). If Poe was extremely drunk, the claims of him staying away from alcohol would be wrong. "The writer was so sensitive to alcohol that a glass of wine would make him violently ill for days"(Benitez 188). This would be false information because Poe had previously talked about his drinking habits. Robert Benedetto and Burton Pollin wrote in If Only

Poe Had Succeeded When He Said Nevermore to Drink that there were no signs physically of rabies on Poe, or on his only animal, a cat in Baltimore (189). It does not make sense for Poe to have had rabies when he had no bite, scratch, or wound. In conclusion, the theory of Poe dying by rabies is untrue.
I believe that Edgar Allen Poe died of alcoholism, easily because there are not enough facts to support the idea of death by rabies.

Firstly, Kenneth Silverman wrote that Poe was taken to a hospital after he was found, and it was later announced that he was in a state of delirium (185). If Poe was sober and in a normal state of mind, there is little to no chance that he would have needed to go to the hospital. "Evidence of Poe's chronic binges is strewn through his letters in periodic admissions of 'recoveries' and promises to his wife, Virginia, and her mother to 'reform' "(Pollin and Benedetto 189). This is significant information because it shows that Poe's drinking habit was long-lasting. It was also said that Joseph Walker believed that Poe could have been "ill by exposure" (Silverman 184). If Poe was clearheaded, he would have known to seek shelter or get medical attention when it was needed. In final analysis, I believe Poe died of alcoholism plainly because there are more supporting facts for this idea than of the

others.
Poe had no symptoms of rabies, but all the symptoms of alcoholism. According to author Kenneth Silverman, Poe began to lose his mind while he was in the hospital (186). If Poe was never intoxicated, I don’t believe that he would have gone mad. Written by Kenneth Silverman, Poe began to lash out with rage towards the doctors and his family members (185). This supports the idea of Poe being in a state of delirium. "Poe was found outside a Baltimore saloon in an alcohol stupor on October 3, 1849, and died four days later" (Benedetto and Pollin 189). If Poe had not been drinking, why would he be outside of a bar? It is easy to see that the facts are available for the proposal of Edgar Allen Poe's death by alcoholism.
While some are convinced that Edgar Allen Poe died by rabies, there is more certainty bearing the theory that he died of alcoholism. There are just not enough details for the suggestion that he had rabies when he died. Because of this, it would only make sense for Poe to have passed with alcoholism. Still to this day, Edgar Allen Poe's death causes controversy, and no one is quite sure what they believe.