Lindsey Graham

In August of that year, the Messenger's owner, Thomas Wills White, hired Poe as a staff writer, literary critic, and editorial assistant.

Poe moved to Richmond, Virginia to begin work, but before long he became lonely and depressed.

White was shocked by the dark moods of his new employee, writing, I should not be at all astonished to hear that he has been guilty of suicide.

That fall, Poe confessed his love for his cousin Virginia and persuaded her and his aunt Maria to come live with him.

He married his cousin shortly afterward.

Poe was 27.

Virginia was just 13.

A witness to the ceremony, though, swore that she was 21.

Poe's spirits improved once Maria and Virginia joined him in Richmond.

He proved to be a talented employee, leading White to promote him as editor of the magazine.

Poe continued writing fiction, but he devoted most of his time to writing scathing book reviews for the Messenger.

His reputation as a harsh critic earned him the nickname Tomahawk Man.

Poe's efforts boosted the messenger's circulation, and during his tenure as editor, the magazine became nationally known.

But his salary was meager.

It frustrated him to profit so little from his ideas and work, and he resented the menial tasks White asked him to perform.

In a letter to his great-uncle, he complained, The drudgery was excessive.

The salary was contemptible.

My best energies were wasted in the service of an illiterate and vulgar, although well-meaning man, who had neither the capacity to appreciate my labors nor the will to reward them.

Seeking release from his inner turmoil, Poe began drinking again.

And when he did, he drank for days at a time, becoming angry and combative.