He had a terrible childhood, a nasty, brutish father, times were extremely different from what any of us know/have ever known now, and the stories about his drinking are just that...stories! Nobody even know why or how he died, for sure and certain; it's all rumors and innuendo.
He really reflected the era, if not influenced it. I studied him a bit. Big fan.
He appealed to many. Then and now. Even the ‘Simpsons’ have used his work in their Halloween Specials. (Tell Tale Heart and The Raven)
Classic works.