Poe, Virginia Clemm (1822–1847)

views updated

Poe, Virginia Clemm (1822–1847)

American literary inspiration. Born Virginia Eliza Clemm, Aug 22, 1822; dau. of Maria (Poe) Clemm (sister of Edgar Allan Poe's father, David Poe) and William Clemm Jr. (1779–1826); died Jan 30, 1847, in NY; m. her cousin Edgar Allan Poe (the writer), May 16, 1836.

Married at 13; showed 1st sign of onset of TB at 20 (Jan 20, 1842); became an invalid; had a powerful effect on the writings of Poe, including the poem "Annabel Lee."