Final answer:
Edgar Allan Poe had a difficult financial and employment history, working as an editor and writer but struggling financially. He attempted to hire his time to earn money for his escape from slavery but was denied. Poe faced poverty and relied on small payments from his writing to survive.
Step-by-step explanation:
Edgar Allan Poe had a difficult financial and employment history. He worked as an editor and writer, but struggled to make ends meet. In 1838, he attempted to hire his time to earn money for his escape from slavery, but his request was denied. Poe often lived in poverty, and relied on small payments from his writing to survive. Despite his talent and contributions to literature, he faced financial hardships throughout his life.