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Thomas Holley Chivers

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Thomas Holley Chivers was a man of many different talents. He was born on October 18, 1809, at a plantation in Georgia. Although he studied to be a doctor, he chose a life of writing. He earned his medical degree from Transylvania University in 1830. His medical thesis was about fevers. However, he spent most of his energy on his poetry and plays. He believed that God gave people a special spark to write. He called poets the apostles of divine thought.

EonchsOfRuby
EonchsOfRuby

Chivers had a very unique way of writing his poems. He often focused on the way words sounded together. In his book, Eonchs of Ruby, he used the word "Eonch" just because it sounded pleasant. He liked the way it felt to say. His poems often used themes of death and religious ideas. He wrote about angels and meeting lost loved ones in the afterlife. He also used stories from Native American culture, like the Cherokee. He wanted his writing to show the connection between people and God.

EonchsOfRuby
EonchsOfRuby

Chivers is very well known for his friendship with Edgar Allan Poe. The two men began writing to each other in 1840. They finally met in person in New York in 1845. Chivers was a kind friend to Poe. He even offered to give Poe money to support him. Chivers visited Poe when Poe was sick. He described Poe's voice as being like a musical instrument.

EAPoePortrait-Osgood
EAPoePortrait-Osgood

After Poe died in 1849, Chivers had some complicated feelings. He believed that Poe had taken ideas from his own work. Chivers claimed he inspired the famous poem "The Raven." He thought he helped Poe with the rhythm and certain words. Even with this disagreement, Chivers still cared for Poe's memory. He worked hard to defend Poe's reputation. He argued against people who spoke badly about the famous poet.

EAPoePortrait-Osgood
EAPoePortrait-Osgood

Chivers lived a busy life of travel and writing. He moved between Georgia and the North for many years. He published books like The Lost Pleiad in 1845. He also wrote a book called Nacoochee in 1837. He lived through many changes in the United States. Eventually, he moved back to Georgia with his wife. He died in Decatur, Georgia, on December 18, 1858. His very last words were, "All is perfect peace with me."

EonchsOfRuby
EonchsOfRuby
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