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Thomas Holley Chivers

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Thomas Holley Chivers was an American poet and doctor from Georgia. He lived from October 18, 1809, to December 18, 1858. Chivers is most famous for his complex relationship with the poet Edgar Allan Poe. He is also remembered for his unique views on how poetry works. Chivers believed that poets were messengers of divine thought. He thought true poetry came from a special connection to God. This belief shaped the way he wrote and the themes he chose.

Chivers followed a path that moved from medicine to literature. He earned a medical degree from Transylvania University in 1830. His thesis focused on a topic called "Intermittent and Remittent Fevers." Although he was trained as a doctor, he spent his energy on publishing books. He wrote many volumes of poetry and several plays. He also wrote about the way words sound together. In his book, *Eonchs of Ruby*, he used the word "Eonch" for its euphony. Euphony means that a word sounds pleasant or sweet to the ear.

His writing featured many specific themes and styles. Chivers often used religious ideas in his work. He wrote about death and the hope of meeting lost loved ones in the afterlife. He frequently used images like angels, shrouds, and coffins. He also drew inspiration from Native American legends, especially those of the Cherokee. His style was influenced by thinkers like Emanuel Swedenborg. He believed poetry was a "crystal river of the soul" that connected humans to the divine.

EonchsOfRuby
EonchsOfRuby

Chivers's personal life was often difficult. He married his cousin, Frances Elizabeth Chivers, in 1827. The couple separated shortly after their daughter was born in 1828. Later, he married Harriet Hunt in 1834. They had four children, but all of them died at a young age. These personal sorrows often appeared in his writing. In 1832, he published *The Path of Sorrow*. This collection was based on the struggles of his first marriage.

EAPoePortrait-Osgood
EAPoePortrait-Osgood

One of the most important parts of Chivers's life was his connection to 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 supportive friend to Poe. He even offered to provide Poe with lifetime financial support. Chivers once described Poe's voice as being like an Aeolian harp. An Aeolian harp is a musical instrument played by the wind. However, Chivers also had disagreements with Poe. He worried about Poe's use of alcohol and argued about the purpose of art.

After Poe died in 1849, Chivers's relationship with the poet's memory became controversial. Chivers claimed that Poe had plagiarized his work. Specifically, he argued that he inspired the rhythm and the famous word "nevermore" in the poem "The Raven." He published an essay in 1854 called "Origin of Poe's Raven" to make this claim. Despite these accusations, Chivers worked to defend Poe's reputation. He fought against people like Rufus Wilmot Griswold, who spoke poorly of Poe. Chivers wanted to show the world the "real Poe."

EonchsOfRuby
EonchsOfRuby

In his final years, Chivers lived through a changing America. He moved back to Georgia in 1855. He was a slaveholder and held views that defended the institution of slavery. He predicted that the issue of slavery would eventually cause his home state to break away from the United States. Chivers died in Decatur, Georgia, in 1858. His last words were, "All is perfect peace with me." While he was famous in his own time, he was mostly forgotten after his death. He was later rediscovered in the 20th century because of his ties to Poe.

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