Edgar Allan Poe is listed by Silberstein, Stiles, and Young among famous people who have had Migraines. As is unfortunately too often the case with historic figures, I wasn't able to find specifics about Poe and Migraine disease.
During his life, he also struggled with financial, emotional and alcohol issues. Drinking too much alcohol can trigger a Migraine attack for some people, so one could speculate that Poe had his share of head pain living such a tumultuous life. Edgar Allan Poe was born on January 19, 1809, in Boston, Massachusetts. His parents, Elizabeth Arnold Hopkins and David Poe, Jr., were struggling actors. Edgar had two siblings, William Henry and Rosalie. The family moved to Richmond, Virginia, to look for acting jobs, where David Poe soon abandoned his family. In 1811, Poe's mother died, leaving the children orphans. William was sent to live with his paternal grandfather and Edgar to live with his supposed godfather, John Allan, a successful businessman. Not much is written about their sister Rosalie. John and Edgar's relationship tended to be strained during their lives.
From 1815-1820, the Allans took Poe and traveled around England and Scotland, where he began his classical education. He returned to Richmond and continued studying Latin, poetry and acting at the University of Virginia. Unfortunately, while at the university, he began to gamble, accumulating a significant debt, which angered his foster father so severely he pulled him out of school. To make matters worse, upon his return, he was shocked to learn his engagement to Sarah Elmira Royster was over. Before he left for college, the young lovers had promised to write one another each day, but Sarah's father did not approve of their engagement and intercepted Poe's letters. Sarah incorrectly assumed he no longer loved her and moved on to another man. In 1827, his first poem, Dreams, was printed in the Baltimore North American. His first book "Tamerlane and Other Poems" was self published at his own expense at the same time. He soon became poor and was forced to join the army. In 1829, his foster mother became ill and died, hoping her husband and foster son would reconcile. To honor her wishes, Allan was able to purchase Poe's release from the army and help him get into the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Before he entered West Point, he published Al Aaraaf, Tamerlan, and Minor Poems in Baltimore. Poe's reunion with Allan was short-lived, however, as he missed many classes and drills at the academy and was dismissed from West Point a year later.
In 1831, Poe moved to Baltimore, writing short stories while living with his Aunt Maria Clemm and her family, William and Virginia. He won $50 from the Baltimore Saturday Visitor for his 1833 MS. Found in a Bottle and in 1835, became editor and a contributor of the Southern Literary Messenger. He also wrote pieces for the Evening Mirror, Godey's Lady's Book and Graham's Magazine. Poe married his cousin Virginia Clemm in 1836 when she was only 13.
