How old were Edgar Allan Poe and Virginia Clemm when they married?

When Edgar Allan Poe married his cousin Virginia Clemm in May 1836, he was 27 years old and she was 13 years old.1

While some historical accounts may focus on the romanticized nature of their relationship, it is important to acknowledge that the marriage of a 27-year-old man to a 13-year-old child is ethically indefensible by modern standards, as it involves a significant power imbalance and the exploitation of a minor. Such unions are fundamentally contrary to the ethical principle of protecting children from harm and ensuring they are not subjected to adult responsibilities or relationships for which they are developmentally unprepared.21