The Gold-Bug – Edgar Allan Poe

Poe’s The Gold-Bug is a work of fiction based on a small South Carolina island that revolves about a recluse’s obsession with code-breaking and the finding of buried treasure.  My question – Is there any evidence to suggest that Poe’s writing on these topics has any connection with a real-life experience that he crutched on for inspiration?

To answer this question, I will need to find information on the biography of Poe, including his upbringing, life-experience and the details of his professional career.  Where did he grow up?  What sparked his interest in writing?  How was his writing received during his career?  Was he poor, perhaps?  Did he personally have any experience with code-breaking, and if yes, where did he learn the skill?  I will need to research these details, using phrases like “Poe’s past”, “Poe – inspiration”, “Private Life of Edgar Allen Poe”, and others of the sort.