Sarah Elmira Royster
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sarah Elmira Royster (1810 - 1888) was a childhood sweetheart of Edgar Allan Poe who would become engaged to him right before his death in 1849.
Royster and Poe began their relationship in Richmond, Virginia in 1825 when she was only 15 years old. They discussed marriage, though Royster's father vocally disapproved. When Poe began classes at the University of Virginia in 1826, Royster's father intercepted all of Poe's letters to his daughter.
One of Poe's minor poems, "Song," is presumed to be about Royster.
Thinking Poe had forgotten her, Royster married Alexander Shelton, a businessman from a well-to-do Virginia family. Royster was only 17 at the time but quickly gained social prominence and wealth. Shelton for a time was co-owner of a boat line that travelled the James River. He died at the age of 36 in 1844. Royster and her three children were left an estate worth $100,000.[1]
Poe and Royster would meet again in July 1848, over a year after the death of Poe's wife Virginia Clemm. The two rekindled their relationship somewhat and discussed marriage. Her children disapproved, however, and her dead husband's will stipulated that remarriage would remove three-quarters of her estate.[2]
The marriage never took place; Poe was also romantically involved with Sarah Helen Whitman and Nancy Richmond at the same time.
Interestingly, biographer John Evangelist Walsh suggests that Royster's sons were responsible for Poe's mysterious death.
