Which Author Was Expelled From the U.S. Military Academy at West Point

The United States Military Academy at West Point is one of the most prestigious and selective military academies in the world.

Their strict program is designed to develop leaders who will serve their country. However, not all cadets complete the program and graduate as officers.

Which author was expelled from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point? It’s Edgar Allan Poe. There were many rumors about his expulsion, but what is the truth? Read on to know more.

Who Was Expelled From the U.S. Military Academy at West Point?

Edgar Allan Poe is the author who was kicked out of the United States Military Academy in 1831. He was accused of failing to perform his duties properly and not obeying the given orders.

There were rumors and whispers at that time that he intentionally wanted to be expelled, but the details of his misbehavior have never been officially revealed.

Author’s Background and Career

Background:

• Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) lived in Boston, Massachusetts.
• He was an American writer, poet, and literary critic who is considered a master of the macabre and the father of modern detective fiction.
• Poe got the name Allan after being taken in by the wealthy Allan family.
• What college did Poe attend? It’s the University of Virginia. He studied for one year before dropping out due to financial difficulties and gambling debts.
• Who did Poe marry? It’s Virginia Eliza Clemm Poe. How old was she when they married? Virginia was just 13 years old, and Poe was 27 at that time.
• In 1827, Poe joined the Army under a false name. He decided to go to West Point and joined the Military Academy, from which he was dismissed.
• What branch of the military did Poe enlist? It’s the First Regiment of Artillery.

Career:

• Poe started his writing career in 1827, starting with a book of poetry titled “Tamerlane and Other Poems.”
• He became known for his mystery, horror, and macabre tales.
• His most famous works include “The Raven,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” and “The Murders in the Rue Morgue.”
• Poe’s personal life was marked by poverty, alcoholism, and ill health, including a lifelong struggle with tuberculosis.

Why Did Edgar Allan Poe Leave West Point

Despite his success in his military career, he still wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. His departure resulted from a series of disciplinary issues and difficulties while at the academy.

The reason is that Poe struggled with financial problems and had a difficult relationship with his foster father, John Allan.

Thus, he tried to commit many mistakes to get kicked out of the academy. It’s believed that this was a revenge of Poe for his father.

What Happened While He Was There

He reluctantly accumulated a great number of disciplinary infractions. As a result, the famous military academy expelled Poe.

He received a total of 44 offenses and 106 demerits during one term and topped the list of offenders during the following term with 66 offenses in just one month.

However, West Point’s official records do not mention the rumor that Poe showed up for drills wearing only a belt and a smile, which is sometimes cited as a reason for his expulsion from the academy.

In addition, there are also rumors that he was always drunk and naked when he attended West Point military formations. There were whispers that he had even killed someone.

The Effect of This Expulsion

After his expulsion from West Point Academy, Poe began to devote himself more fully to his writing career.

His literary work received acclaim both domestically and internationally, and Poe eventually became the first American author to earn a livelihood solely through writing.

Conclusion

Which author was expelled from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point? It’s Edgar Allan Poe. While his expulsion from West Point may have been a setback, it ultimately allowed him to pursue his true passion and achieve great success in the literary world.