Did Edgar Allan Poe really date Emily Hamilton?

Answer 1

EA Poe's first true love was Sarah Elmira Royster who Poe was engaged to briefly in 1826.

His cousin, Virginia Clemm, whom he married when she was 13 years old is often depicted in his poems and stories. She is certainly the "lost Lenore" who is named in The Raven. Sadly, though Poe was devoted to her, they lived a life of deprivation as Edgar made little money as a writer/editor. Virginia did not live long, succumbing to consumption at age 24. Poe never really recovered.

He was engaged briefly to a poetess, Sarah Helen Whitman, who agreed to the marriage on his promise to quit drinking but called the wedding off when he could not defeat his Alcoholism.

Not long before Poe died, he was once again is engaged, to his childhood sweetheart, Sarah Elmira Royster Shelton. His poem, The Raven, had become a sensation and his popularity was rising. He joined a temperance group and seemed on the verge of overcoming his problems and achieving a measure of happiness.

But shortly after his engagement he was found barely alive in a Baltimore street. Taken to a hospital he survived for four days in a state of semi-consciousness before he died. The circumstances of his death are still a mystery.

As for the character of Emily Hamilton in the 2012 John Cusack thriller, The Raven: she is completely fictional.

Answer 2

There is no evidence to suggest that Edgar Allan Poe dated Emily Hamilton. Poe was known to have relationships with other women, including his wife Virginia Clemm Poe and poet Sarah Helen Whitman.

Answer 3

No, Emily Hamilton was a made up character.