what happened to edgar allan poe's parents

Edgar Allan Poe's parents had a tragic and difficult fate. His father, David Poe Jr., left the family early in Edgar's life, disappearing when Edgar was about two years old. A few months later, Edgar's mother, Elizabeth Arnold Poe, who was a British-born actress, died of tuberculosis when Edgar was only three years old. After his mother's death, Edgar and his siblings were separated: Edgar was taken in by John and Frances Allan, a wealthy merchant couple in Richmond, Virginia, who became his foster parents, although they never formally adopted him. Edgar later took the name Edgar Allan Poe in tribute to them. Meanwhile, his older brother went to live with their paternal grandparents, and his sister was adopted by another family. Edgar's relationship with his foster father John Allan was often troubled and volatile as he grew older.