The Dreamer: A Romantic Rendering of the Life-Story of Edgar Allan Poe

"The Dreamer: A Romantic Rendering of the Life-Story of Edgar Allan Poe" by Mary Newton Stanard is an early 20th-century fictional biography that tells the story of Edgar Allan Poe with a focus on the tragic events and personal battles that shaped his life and works. The story starts with the heartbreaking death of Poe's mother, Elizabeth Arnold, and this event has a profound impact on young Edgar and his sister, Rosalie. The text explores the tenderness and deep family connection in the face of loss, which later haunts Edgar. As the story continues, it presents his life with his foster parents, the Allans, and uncovers the intricacies surrounding his relationships with John and Frances Allan, who played roles in shaping and suppressing his creative mind. The beginning sets a mournful tone and sets the scene for a deeply moving exploration of Poe's life as a cherished son and a solitary dreamer.