(Elizabeth 1)
Elizabeth
Barrett Browning was born in 1806 in Durham, England. Elizabeth’s maiden name
was Barrett. She was the eldest of twelve siblings and was part Creole. For a
portion of Elizabeth’s life she and her family lived in Jamaica, where they
tended to her father’s sugar plantations and many slaves. Later on Elizabeth’s
father decided to raise the family in England, so they left their plantations
in Jamaica and headed off for a new life.
All of the Barrett children were home schooled within their England home. Throughout her education Elizabeth found much joy in reading poetry from major authors, such as Shakespeare. “By her twelfth year she had written her first "epic" poem, which consisted of four books of rhyming couples” (Academy 1). While it may seem that Elizabeth lived a “normal” life Elizabeth experienced many hardships. Shortly after she had written her first “epic” Elizabeth fell ill with a lung ailment (Academy 1). Unfortunately, the lung ailment that she developed caused her problems for the rest of her life. Elizabeth was later diagnosed with a spinal injury that she had acquired while horseback riding.
However, despite all of her unfortunate experiences, Elizabeth still managed to publish one of her first major works in 1826. Although it was one of her first major works, An Essay on Mind and Other Poems was published anonymously. In 1833 Elizabeth published the first of her works which gave credit to her. Unfortunately, Prometheus Bound gained a lot of “notoriety” and did so rather quickly (Academy 1). Many of Elizabeth’s works were based on her strong Christian faith, however in 1838 when Elizabeth’s brother drowned, she locked herself in room and did not publish any other works until 1844 (Academy 1). The works published in 1844 were entitled Poems and were dedicated to her brother’s death (Academy 1).
It was with this publication that Robert Browning became very interested in Ms. Elizabeth Barrett. The two began to exchange letter (574 to be exact), and fell in love (Academy 1). Although all of the Barrett children had been forbid to marry by their father, nonetheless, she and Robert ran away to Florence, Italy. The two were married and shortly after Elizabeth gave birth to their son, Robert Wideman Browning (Academy 1). Elizabeth’s Sonnet from the Portuguese is one of her best known works. This work was published in 1850 and was dedicated to her marriage and husband. “Critics generally consider the Sonnets—one of the most widely known collections of love lyrics in English—to be her best work. Admirers have compared her imagery to Shakespeare and her use of the Italian form to Petrarch” (Academy 1). Unfortunately, in Elizabeth’s later works she began to crack down on the problems of unification, child labor, slavery, and social injustices in Italy; which began to destroy her career (Academy 1). Most individuals of the time did not like people protesting the ways of life and it showed in the later acceptance/ ratings of Elizabeth’s works.Yet, as time went on individuals began to recognize Elizabeth's purpose(s) behind her woks and she gained some publicity and respect yet again.
Elizabeth’s work is and has been widely viewed, appreciated, and accepted by many. In 1861 Elizabeth Barrett Browning died. In 1862 her last works were published and the Florentine government erected a plaque on Casa Guidi to honor her support of Italian unification (L.W. XXIV).
All of the Barrett children were home schooled within their England home. Throughout her education Elizabeth found much joy in reading poetry from major authors, such as Shakespeare. “By her twelfth year she had written her first "epic" poem, which consisted of four books of rhyming couples” (Academy 1). While it may seem that Elizabeth lived a “normal” life Elizabeth experienced many hardships. Shortly after she had written her first “epic” Elizabeth fell ill with a lung ailment (Academy 1). Unfortunately, the lung ailment that she developed caused her problems for the rest of her life. Elizabeth was later diagnosed with a spinal injury that she had acquired while horseback riding.
However, despite all of her unfortunate experiences, Elizabeth still managed to publish one of her first major works in 1826. Although it was one of her first major works, An Essay on Mind and Other Poems was published anonymously. In 1833 Elizabeth published the first of her works which gave credit to her. Unfortunately, Prometheus Bound gained a lot of “notoriety” and did so rather quickly (Academy 1). Many of Elizabeth’s works were based on her strong Christian faith, however in 1838 when Elizabeth’s brother drowned, she locked herself in room and did not publish any other works until 1844 (Academy 1). The works published in 1844 were entitled Poems and were dedicated to her brother’s death (Academy 1).
It was with this publication that Robert Browning became very interested in Ms. Elizabeth Barrett. The two began to exchange letter (574 to be exact), and fell in love (Academy 1). Although all of the Barrett children had been forbid to marry by their father, nonetheless, she and Robert ran away to Florence, Italy. The two were married and shortly after Elizabeth gave birth to their son, Robert Wideman Browning (Academy 1). Elizabeth’s Sonnet from the Portuguese is one of her best known works. This work was published in 1850 and was dedicated to her marriage and husband. “Critics generally consider the Sonnets—one of the most widely known collections of love lyrics in English—to be her best work. Admirers have compared her imagery to Shakespeare and her use of the Italian form to Petrarch” (Academy 1). Unfortunately, in Elizabeth’s later works she began to crack down on the problems of unification, child labor, slavery, and social injustices in Italy; which began to destroy her career (Academy 1). Most individuals of the time did not like people protesting the ways of life and it showed in the later acceptance/ ratings of Elizabeth’s works.Yet, as time went on individuals began to recognize Elizabeth's purpose(s) behind her woks and she gained some publicity and respect yet again.
Elizabeth’s work is and has been widely viewed, appreciated, and accepted by many. In 1861 Elizabeth Barrett Browning died. In 1862 her last works were published and the Florentine government erected a plaque on Casa Guidi to honor her support of Italian unification (L.W. XXIV).
Works Cited:
Academy of American Poets. "Elizabeth Barrett
Browning." Poets.org. N.p., 2013. Web. 24 Aug. 2013.
<http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/152>.
<http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/152>.
"Elizabeth Barrett Browning Quotes." WUGU:
The Most Comprehensive Blog. MixBook, 5 Nov.
2012.
Web. 24 Aug. 2013. <http://www.rugusavay.com/elizabeth-barrett-browning-quotes/>.
Web. 24 Aug. 2013. <http://www.rugusavay.com/elizabeth-barrett-browning-quotes/>.
L.W. Conolly. Elizabeth Barrett Browning-
Selected Poems. L.W. Conolly. Ontario: Broadview Editions,
2009. XXI-XXIV. Print.
2009. XXI-XXIV. Print.
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