12. Poe Dropped Out Of Virginia University Due To His Rising Gambling Debts... But Still Has A Room Named After Him There
In February 1826, Poe registered to study ancient and modern languages at the University of Virginia - which had only just been opened the previous year by Thomas Jefferson. An institution with strict rules on gambling, tobacco and alcohol, Poe's love of a flutter eventually cost him his place after just a year at university. In fact, Poe received money from his foster father, John Allan, to register for classes and to buy books - but he blew it all on gambling, forcing him to drop out after just a year. Despite losing the majority of the cash betting, Poe still maintained that his foster father did not give him sufficient funds to see out his education. Interestingly, although Poe spent just a year at the institution, the University of Virginia now has a room named after the author (pictured above).
NUFC editor for WhatCulture.com/NUFC. History graduate (University of Edinburgh) and NCTJ-trained journalist. I love sports, hopelessly following Newcastle United and Newcastle Falcons. My pastimes include watching and attending sports matches religiously, reading spy books and sampling ales.
