Elizabeth Barrett Browning (6 May, 1806, 29 June, 1861) was a popular Victorian poet who was famous, during he lifetime in both England and the United States. Mrs. Browning’s collection of sonnets poems Sonnets from the Portuguese and the verse-novel Aurora Leigh are still well read today.
Books by Elizabeth Barrett Browning*
Fun Facts about Elizabeth Barrett Browning:
- Elizabeth Barrett Moulton-Barrett was born in Coxhoe Hall, near County Durham, as the eldest of 12 children. Her father, Edward Barrett Moulton-Barrett, owned plantations in Jamaica but chose to raise her in England.
- Her mother, Mary Graham Clarke, had a large collection of poetry. Possible one of the largest known collection at the time.
- even though we celebrate Mrs. Browning’s birthday on 6 May, we don’t really know when she was born. Historians think that by the time she was baptized on 9 May, she might have been 3-4 months old but it was hidden because her parents only married on 14 May 1805.
- The young girl was educated at home and started writing verse at the age of 4.
- At 15 years old, young Elizabeth Barrett became very sick and suffered pains in her spine for the rest of her life.
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning love story with fellow poet Robert Browning, which has become a celebrated tale of romantic literature. The couple corresponded secretly afraid of her father’s wrath.
- As it turned out, once Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning married, she was disinherited and the couple lived in Italy for the rest of their lives.
- As an advocate for abolition Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote extensively on divisive social and political issues, such as slavery and women’s rights.
- It is worth noting that both her parent’s families profited handsomely from slavery.
- Elizabeth Barrett Browning has influence may poets across the world, including Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson
Books by Elizabeth Barrett Browning*
Zohar — Man of la Book
*Amazon links point to an affiliate account
Sources:
Elizabeth Barrett Browning | Wikipedia
Elizabeth Barrett Browning | biography.com
