Lindsey Graham

In the 1830s, alcoholism was considered a moral defect rather than a disease.

And by December 1836, White had seen enough and fired Poe.

Jobless and destitute once again, Poe was still determined to break through as a writer.

His experiences at the Messenger had launched his literary career, but it also established a pattern of self-destructiveness that would continue for the rest of his life.

Once again, he plotted his next move, deciding to seek his fortunes in the center of the publishing world, New York.

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In February 1837, Edgar Allan Poe moved to New York City with his wife, Virginia, and his mother-in-law, Maria Clem.

But his move was ill-timed.

Just three months later, the Panic of 1837 began, sparking one of the worst economic depressions of the 19th century.

Poe struggled to find work, and the family lived in poverty, subsisting on nothing but bread and molasses for weeks at a time.