When did Edgar Allan Poe and Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe meet?

Answer 1

Maria Poe Clemm was the sister of David Poe, Jr. (Edgar's father) and the mother of Virginia Eliza Clemm, also known as Edgar Allan Poe's cousin. Maria Clemm was the aunt of Edgar Allan Poe (so yeah, Poe married his cousin... and she was 13 when they wed).

Answer 2

It is possible Poe met his young cousin as early as March 1827 because he lived in Baltimore for a month or two before enlisting in the US Army on May 26, 1827. And, it is quite possible he lived in Baltimore for most of the year between being discharged from the Army and entering West Point from April 15, 1829 until June 1830. It is unclear if he visited his aunt Maria Clemm's home during these times, but it is very likely; therefore, these are the most probably times that Poe first met his future wife. After he finished his stint at West Point, he definitely did move in with his aunt Maria and her family from May 1831 until 1835.

The adoption/foster family security rules were basically nonexistent at that time, so Poe most likely knew of his blood relatives early in his life.

Answer 3

Edgar Allan Poe and Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe met in 1829 when Virginia was just 7 years old. They were distant cousins, and their relationship evolved and eventually led to marriage in 1836 when Virginia was 13.

Answer 4

Although Edgar Allan Poe lived, for a short time on two different occasions, in the same house with his aunt (and later, mother-in-law), Mrs. Maria Clemm, she did not adopt him.