Throughout his life in Baltimore Poe worked as an editor for the Southern Literary Messenger, and fell in love, with his now 13-year-old cousin, Virginia. In 1836, when Virginia was fifteen, Poe married her. .
Not a lot is known about Poe's life after he left the Southern Literary Messenger in 1837. We know that in 1838, Poe moved with Virginia to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and lived there for six years. During this time he was an editor for many places, Burtons Gentlemen's Magazine July 1839 - June 1840, and Graham's Magazine from April 1841 to May 1842. After these short-term jobs, Poe decided to move to New York for possible job opportunities. .
Once Poe, Virginia his wife, and his aunt (Virginia's mother) arrived in New York, Poe immediately found a job at The New York Evening Mirror. After a few years, in 1846, his young wife Virginia became extremely ill. During this time Virginia was trying to pursue a singing career but it wasn't until the day she sang, and blood ran from her mouth, that she realized she really was sick. The diagnosis was Tuberculosis. Poe tried his best to comfort his dying wife, and he did everything in his power to make her comfortable. Virginia died on January 30th, 1847. .
Before Virginia died, while he was caring for her needs, Poe wrote several poems short stories and tales. All of these poems, short stories and tales tell tales of death, denial and struggle to fight death. It is said to be because Poe was in denial of the seriousness of Virginia's illness. Some of these writings include the gothic tales, "Life in Death,"" and "The Mask of the Red Death."" .
The death of Virginia Clemm brought Poe into a period of deep depression. He started drinking heavily once again and his health began to go down hill. During his downfall, Poe had things for many different women. He liked a poetess named Mrs. Sarah Helen Whitman, Mrs. Sarah Elmira Shelton, and Mrs.
