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Sarah Elmira Royster
Sarah Elmira Royster

Sarah Elmira Royster Shelton (1810 - 1888) was a childhood sweetheart of Edgar Allan Poe who would become engaged to him right before his death in 1849. Edgar Allan Poe (January 19 1809 – October 7 1849 was an American poet, short-story Writer, editor and Literary critic, See also Edgar Allan Poe The death of Edgar Allan Poe on October 7 1849 has remained mysterious the circumstances leading up to it are uncertain and the cause of death

Their early relationship, begun when she was 15, ended due to the interference of her father while Poe was studying at the University of Virginia. The University of Virginia (also called UVa, UVA, Mr Jefferson's University, or The University) is a highly selective public research A couple years later, she married Alexander B. Shelton, who became wealthy through his involvement in the transportation industry. The couple had four children, though only two lived past infancy. After his death in 1844, Royster and her children inherited $100,000 with the stipulation that she would lose a portion of this estate if she remarried.

Poe came back into her life in 1848 and they renewed their relationship. Poe pressed her into marrying him, though she was hesitant and her children did not approve. They never married; he died shortly thereafter in October 1849. Royster had an influence on Poe's work and may have inspired "The Raven" and "Annabel Lee". " The Raven " is a narrative poem by the American writer Edgar Allan Poe, first published in January 1845 " Annabel Lee " is the last complete poem composed by American author Edgar Allan Poe. The early relationship between Poe and Shelton was immortalized by other writers, including Poe's brother William Henry Leonard Poe. William Henry Leonard Poe, often referred to as Henry Poe (January 30 1807 – August 1 1831 was a sailor amateur poet and the older brother of Edgar Allan Poe

Contents

Biography

Royster and Poe were neighbors in Richmond, Virginia[1] when they began their relationship in 1825, when she was 15 years old and he was 16. This article is about the city of Richmond the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Year 1825 ( MDCCCXXV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common They discussed marriage, though Royster's father vocally disapproved. They were secretly engaged as Poe began classes at the University of Virginia in 1826; however, Royster's father intercepted and destroyed all of Poe's letters to his daughter. The University of Virginia (also called UVa, UVA, Mr Jefferson's University, or The University) is a highly selective public research For the game see 1826 (board game. Year 1826 ( MDCCCXXVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display [2] Royster wrote later that his disapproval was only because of their young age but he likely also considered Poe unsuitable due to social and financial status as a poor orphan. [3]

Thinking Poe had forgotten her, Royster married Alexander Shelton, a businessman from a well-to-do Virginia family. The Commonwealth of Virginia ( is an American state Royster was only 17 at the time but quickly gained social prominence and wealth: Shelton worked in the transportation industry and was for a time the co-owner of a boat line that travelled the James River. The James River in the US state of Virginia is a long River, including its Jackson River source [4] The couple had four children, though a son and a daughter died in infancy. [5] Alexander Shelton died of pneumonia[6] at the age of 37 on July 12, 1844. Pneumonia is an inflammatory illness of the Lung. Frequently it is described as lung Parenchyma / alveolar inflammation and abnormal Events 1191 - Saladin 's garrison surrenders ending the two-year Siege of Acre. Year 1844 ( MDCCCXLIV) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year [7] Royster and her two children were left an estate worth $100,000. [4]

Second relationship with Poe

Edgar Allan Poe in 1848
Edgar Allan Poe in 1848

Poe and Royster would meet again in July 1848,[8] over a year after the death of Poe's wife Virginia Clemm. Edgar Allan Poe (January 19 1809 – October 7 1849 was an American poet, short-story Writer, editor and Literary critic, Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe (born Virginia Eliza Clemm) (August 22 1822 &ndash January 30 1847 was the wife of Edgar Allan Poe. His visit was unannounced. As Royster described it: "I was ready to go to church and a servant told me that a gentleman in the parlor wanted to see me. I went down and was amazed to see him—but knew him instantly". [9] By this time, Royster was very religious, having been baptized as an adult at St. John's Episcopal Church. St John's is an Episcopal church located in Richmond Virginia. [4] She was 39 and living with her 19-year old daughter Ann and 10-year old son Southall. [6] A friend described her as being very attractive around this time:

"Her eyes were a deep blue, her hair brown, touched with grey, her nose thin and patrician. . . Her voice was very low, soft and sweet, her manners exquisitely refined, and intellectually she was a woman of education and force of character. Her distinguishing qualities were gentleness and womanliness. "[9]

Royster attended Poe's lecture in Richmond, sitting in the front row. [9] Poe and Royster rekindled their relationship somewhat and discussed marriage. Her children disapproved, however, and her dead husband's will stipulated that remarriage would remove three-quarters of her estate. [8] Poe visited Richmond on September 17, 1849, and stayed with Royster for the evening. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Year 1849 ( MDCCCXLIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common He wrote: "I think she loves me more devotedly than any one I ever knew. . . I cannot help loving her in return. "[10] Poe hoped to be married before he left Richmond and pushed her to respond. She wanted time to consider: "I told him if he would not take a positive denial he must give me time to consider it". [11] Royster may have been reticent because of the rumors of Poe's drinking and, because of this, may have inspired Poe into joining the Richmond chapter of the Sons of Temperance. The Sons of Temperance was a Brotherhood of men who promoted the Temperance movement and mutual support [12] Poe's lecture tour then brought him to Norfolk, Virginia and Old Point Comfort. Norfolk is an Independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States Old Point Comfort is a point of land located in the Independent city of Hampton at the extreme tip of the Virginia Peninsula at the mouth of [13] It is unclear if the couple was ever officially engaged but most biographers agree that they came to an "understanding" by late September. [8]

The wedding never took place; after Poe said goodbye to her, he left Richmond on September 27, 1849, and died mysteriously only two weeks later in Baltimore. Events 489 - Odoacer attacks Theodoric at the Battle of Verona and is defeated again See also Edgar Allan Poe The death of Edgar Allan Poe on October 7 1849 has remained mysterious the circumstances leading up to it are uncertain and the cause of death [8] Royster recalled her last moments with him: "He came up to my house on the evening of the 26th Sept. to take leave of me. –He was very sad, and complained of being quite sick. . . I felt so wretched about him all of that night, that I went up early the next morning to enquire after him, when, much to my regret, he had left in the boat for Baltimore. "[14] On his deathbed, Poe mentioned a wife he had in Richmond, possibly referring to Royster. [15] Biographer John Evangelist Walsh suggests that Royster's brothers were responsible for Poe's mysterious death. [16]

Royster later said that she would not "have married him under any circumstances". A letter Royster wrote to Poe's mother-in-law Maria Clemm, however announced that she was ready to accept her as her own mother-in-law. [14] In her letter, she also referred to Poe as "the dearest object on earth" to her. [17]

Later life

After Poe's death, Royster refused to speak about him or her relationship, bluntly denying all requests and living a relatively reclusive lifestyle. In 1875, she finally granted an interview to local sculptor Edward Valentine as a response to a Poe biography written by John H. Ingram. In this conversation she vehemently denied ever having been engaged to Poe. [18] In June 1884, however, she privately admitted to Dr. John Joseph Moran, Poe's attending physician at the time of his death, that she and Poe had been engaged. [19] Royster died on February 11, 1888, and her obituary, published on the front page of the Richmond Whig on February 12, bore the heading "Poe's first and last love". Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 1888 ( MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Events 1429 - English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the [20]

References in literature

Many of the poems in Poe's first published work, Tamerlane and Other Poems (1827), were inspired by his failed childhood romance with Royster, with many lines discussing the follies of youth and lost love. Tamerlane and Other Poems was the first published collection of poems by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in 1827 [21] One of Poe's minor poems, "Song," is presumed to be about Royster. This article lists all known poems by American author and critic Edgar Allan Poe ( January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) She also believed that the "lost Lenore" in the poem "The Raven" as well as the title character in "Annabel Lee" were representative of her and claimed that Poe himself had assured her of it. " The Raven " is a narrative poem by the American writer Edgar Allan Poe, first published in January 1845 " Annabel Lee " is the last complete poem composed by American author Edgar Allan Poe. [22] Biographers, however, often debate Poe's inspiration, particularly for "Annabel Lee". Poe's wife Virginia, who had died two years prior to the poem's publication, was suggested by poet Frances Sargent Osgood and generally is considered the most likely candidate for the title character, though Osgood herself is another possibility. Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe (born Virginia Eliza Clemm) (August 22 1822 &ndash January 30 1847 was the wife of Edgar Allan Poe. Frances Sargent Osgood ( Née Locke (June 18 1811 – May 12 1850 was an American poet and one of the most popular women writers during her time [23] Sarah Helen Whitman and Sarah Anna Lewis also claimed to have inspired the poem. Early life She was born in Providence Rhode Island on January 19 1803 - the same day as Poe though a few years before him [24] Even so, in her later years, Royster was known familiarly in Richmond as "Poe's Lenore". [20]

Poe's brother William Henry Leonard Poe also wrote a short story based on his brother's young romance with Royster called "The Pirate" which was published in the October 27, 1827, issue of the North American. William Henry Leonard Poe, often referred to as Henry Poe (January 30 1807 – August 1 1831 was a sailor amateur poet and the older brother of Edgar Allan Poe Events 312 - Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross. Year 1827 ( MDCCCXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common [25] Lambert A. Wilmer, a Baltimore writer who was friend of both Poe brothers, also wrote about the young relationship. His drama in verse, Merlin, was in three parts, the first of which was published on August 18, 1827. Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica. Year 1827 ( MDCCCXXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common [26]

Further reading

References

  1. ^ Stashower, Daniel. The Beautiful Cigar Girl: Mary Rogers, Edgar Allan Poe, and the Invention of Murder. New York: Dutton, 2006: 38. ISBN 052594981X
  2. ^ Walsh, John Evangelist. Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe. New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2000: 6. ISBN 0312227329
  3. ^ Meyers, Jeffrey. Edgar Allan Poe: His Life and Legacy. New York: Cooper Square Press, 1992: 18. ISBN 0815410387
  4. ^ a b c Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance. Harper Perennial, 1991: 425. ISBN 0060923318
  5. ^ Walsh, John Evangelist. Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe. New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2000: 5–6. ISBN 0312227329
  6. ^ a b Walsh, John Evangelist. Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe. New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2000: 5. ISBN 0312227329
  7. ^ Thomas, Dwight and David K. Jackson. The Poe Log: A Documentary Life of Edgar Allan Poe 1809-1849. New York: G. K. Hall & Co. , 1987: 467. ISBN 0783814011
  8. ^ a b c d Sova, Dawn B. Edgar Allan Poe: A to Z. New York: Checkmark Books, 2001: 214. ISBN 081604161X
  9. ^ a b c Meyers, Jeffrey. Edgar Allan Poe: His Life and Legacy. New York: Cooper Square Press, 1992: 249. ISBN 0815410387
  10. ^ Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance. Harper Perennial, 1991: 430. ISBN 0060923318
  11. ^ Meyers, Jeffrey. Edgar Allan Poe: His Life and Legacy. New York: Cooper Square Press, 1992: 250–251. ISBN 0815410387
  12. ^ Stashower, Daniel. The Beautiful Cigar Girl: Mary Rogers, Edgar Allan Poe, and the Invention of Murder. New York: Dutton, 2006: 280. ISBN 052594981X
  13. ^ Kennedy, J. Gerald. "A Brief Biography", A Historical Guide to Edgar Allan Poe. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001: 58. ISBN 9780195121506
  14. ^ a b Meyers, Jeffrey. Edgar Allan Poe: His Life and Legacy. New York: Cooper Square Press, 1992: 251. ISBN 0815410387
  15. ^ Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance. New York: Harper Perennial, 1991: 426. ISBN 0060923318
  16. ^ See John Evangelist Walsh's Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe, St. Martin's Minotaur, 2000.
  17. ^ Walsh, John Evangelist. Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe. New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2000: 124. ISBN 0312227329
  18. ^ Walsh, John Evangelist. Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe. New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2000: 127–128. ISBN 0312227329
  19. ^ Walsh, John Evangelist. Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe. New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2000: 128. ISBN 0312227329
  20. ^ a b Walsh, John Evangelist. Midnight Dreary: The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe. New York: St. Martin's Minotaur, 2000: 184. ISBN 0312227329
  21. ^ Stashower, Daniel. The Beautiful Cigar Girl: Mary Rogers, Edgar Allan Poe, and the Invention of Murder. New York: Dutton, 2006: 43–44. ISBN 052594981X
  22. ^ Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance. New York: Harper Perennial, 1991: 426. ISBN 0060923318
  23. ^ Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance. New York: Harper Perennial, 1991: 401. ISBN 0060923318
  24. ^ Sova, Dawn B. Edgar Allan Poe: A to Z. New York: Checkmark Books, 2001: 12. ISBN 081604161X
  25. ^ Sova, Dawn B. Edgar Allan Poe: A to Z. New York: Checkmark Books, 2001: 193. ISBN 081604161X
  26. ^ Thomas, Dwight and David K. Jackson. The Poe Log: A Documentary Life of Edgar Allan Poe 1809-1849. New York: G. K. Hall & Co. , 1987: 81. ISBN 0783814011

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