Poe                      Liberace

TODAY - Aged 27, Edgar Allan Poe married his 13-year-old cousin Virginia Eliza Clemm  175 years ago today.  Much of their marriage was spent in abject poverty until Virginia suffered a lingering death from tuberculosis 11 years after her marriage to Poe.  Following the death of his wife, Poe fell into a life-long depression that many say led to his fatal abuse of alcohol. Scholars also credit the trauma of Virginia’s death to creation of several darkly powerful poems by Poe, including  Anabel Lee and The Raven.
Birthday Boy – World renown for his over-the-top persona, flamboyant keyboard style and last name  Wladziu Valetino  Liberace  was born 92 years ago today in  West Allis, Wisconsin – home of the Annual Wisconsin State Fair.  Although his twin brother died at birth, many felt Liberace was destined for greatness as he was born with a caul, or portion of his amniotic sac draped over his head. A piano virtuoso, Liberace became known as  “Mr. Showmanship” as a 
mega Las Vegas star, TV host, and America’s highest paid performer at the height of his career.