RomanceEverAfter
|
|
|
People You Should Know A Conversation with Ross Howard, A Cure for Kirby, Meet Monica Davis and Geir Ness. The Beauty of Change Series Historical Romance Column and Book Reviewer: Kaye Hatfield NEW! Sam DeMarco Have you dreamed of starting your own business? Sam DeMarco, owner of Compliance Team, did and he tells us how he made his dream a reality! Photo Gallery Romance & You (Articles) Romantic Memoir
Quotes & Poetry Expand your quotes and poetic horizons by visiting our various Quotes & Poetry categories: Thought of the Week: Time for New Beginnings A series of 8 articles by Melissa Hamilton comprising a collection of principles that will allow you to make your vision for the future a reality. Read about the Amish, India, Philippines, Greece, & Rome.
|
Sonnet (excerpt) How do I love thee? Let me count the
ways.
Who Was Elizabeth Barrett Browning? Elizabeth Barrett Browning was an English poet whose poems to her husband Robert Browning made her famous. Born in Coxhoe Hall near Durham on March 6, 1806, her talent as a writer was revealed early in childhood. By the age of ten, she was writing birthday wishes to her family. Her first epic, The Battle of Marathon, was written at the age of thirteen in 1820. She was a student of philosophy and studied Greek, Latin and French. Illness Early in her Life Elizabeth contracted a respiratory infection in 1821. The illness left her with weak lungs which would restrict her physical activity. Seeking warmer weather and the use of morphine were the only way she could combat reoccurring respiratory attacks. Elizabeth's family moved several times before settling in London around 1835. Her literary work during this time varied: An Essay on Mind, written at the age of eighteen in 1826 and translation of the Greek work Prometheus Bound in 1833. Tragedy Strikes Elizabeth went to Devonshire in the company of her brother, Edward, in 1838. Two years later, he would accidentally drown. She experienced a nervous breakdown and never recovered from his death. She forever blamed herself for his death. Elizabeth was forced to return to London in 1841. A semi-invalid, she confined herself to the solitude of her bedroom at her parent's home. For the next five years, she would write numerous poems including The Dead Pan, Lady Geraldine's Courtship and the long religious poem A Drama of Exile. Enter Robert Browning The life of solitude and challenge would take a turn when Robert Browning initiated a correspondence with Elizabeth on January 10, 1845. At the age of 39, her life was to change forever.
Elizabeth Meets Love Robert Browning was enthralled with Elizabeth's work Poems. In that regard, he initiated a correspondence with the 39 year old poet on January 10, 1845. The friendship would develop into a close relationship which brought renewed physical and emotional strength to Elizabeth. (She had confined herself to her bedroom after returning to London in 1841). Elizabeth and Robert were married on September 12, 1846 in St. Marylebone Church. Elizabeth was 40 years old and she had to marry in secret. Her father opposed the marriage of any of his children. Within a week, the newlyweds traveled to Italy where they would settle in Florence. Sadly, Elizabeth's father never forgave her for secretly wedding Robert.
Happiness in Marriage By all accounts, the Brownings' marriage was a happy one. Elizabeth enjoyed relatively good health and the birth of the couple's only child, Robert Wiedemann* Barrett Browning in 1849, brought her great happiness. *Wiedemann - Robert Browning's mother's maiden name. Sarah Anna Wiedemann was of Scottish and German parentage. The couple traveled to Italy, Paris and London and were welcomed with open arms. Elizabeth would write her most memorable work during this time period. Within her lifetime, her fame would surpass that of her husband. The Death of a Talented Poet The death of Elizabeth's sister, Henrietta, in November 1860 weakened Elizabeth both emotionally and physically. She would contract bronchitis which eventually stole her life on June 30, 1861. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's work is still loved and cherished today. Her gentle nature and keen insights into the social and political views of her time are evidenced in her poetry and share the soul of the artist with a gift for words.
Return to Home Page Return to Quotes & Poetry
|
|
|
Photo Gallery
