1 Poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was born on March 6, 1806, in Durham, England. She was the eldest of 12 children born to Edward Barrett Moulton Barrett and Mary Graham Clarke. The family was wealthy, deriving their fortune from Jamaican sugar plantations, which allowed Elizabeth to receive a privileged education unusual for women of her time.

From an early age, Elizabeth showed a precocious talent for literature. She began writing poetry at the age of four and was reading novels by the age of six. Her father encouraged her intellectual pursuits, allowing her access to his extensive library and supporting her early attempts at writing.

In 1820, at the age of 14, Elizabeth anonymously published her first collection of poems, "The Battle of Marathon." Her health began to decline in her teens, marked by intense head and spinal pain. This condition, the nature of which remains unclear to modern medical science, would affect her throughout her life.

Despite her health issues, Elizabeth continued to write prolifically. In 1838, she published "The Seraphim and Other Poems," her first collection of poems under her own name. This work brought her significant critical acclaim and established her as a rising star in the literary world.

In 1844, Elizabeth published a two-volume collection, "Poems," which included "A Drama of Exile," "A Vision of Poets," and "Lady Geraldine's Courtship." This collection solidified her reputation as one of the most respected poets of her time.

It was through "Lady Geraldine's Courtship" that Elizabeth first came to the attention of Robert Browning, six years her junior. Impressed by her work, Browning wrote to her, saying, "I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett." This letter began their famous courtship and literary partnership.

Despite her father's disapproval of marriage for any of his children, Elizabeth secretly married Robert Browning in 1846. The couple eloped to Italy, where Elizabeth's health improved in the warmer climate. Their marriage was a loving and intellectually stimulating partnership, often regarded as one of the most famous literary marriages in history.

In 1850, Elizabeth published what is perhaps her most famous work, "Sonnets from the Portuguese." This collection of 44 love sonnets, written during her courtship with Robert but kept secret from him until after their marriage, includes the famous line "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways."

Elizabeth's work often engaged with social and political issues of her time. Her poem "The Cry of the Children" (1843) was a passionate protest against child labor in factories and mines. "Casa Guidi Windows" (1851) expressed her support for the Italian Risorgimento movement.

In 1856, Elizabeth published "Aurora Leigh," a nine-book epic poem about a female writer. This work, combining elements of the novel and poetry, is often considered her masterpiece. It deals with issues of gender roles, social pressures, and the place of art in society.

Throughout her life, Elizabeth was an advocate for social reform. She supported the abolition of slavery, child labor reform, and women's rights. Her work often reflected these concerns, making her one of the most politically engaged poets of her era.

Elizabeth and Robert had one son, Robert Wiedeman Barrett Browning, born in 1849. Despite her improved health in Italy, Elizabeth's chronic lung illness eventually worsened. She died in Florence on June 29, 1861, at the age of 55, in her husband's arms.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's legacy is that of a pioneering female voice in Victorian literature. Her work challenged conventions both in form and content, paving the way for future generations of women writers. Her poetry, characterized by its emotional intensity, technical skill, and engagement with contemporary issues, continues to be widely read and studied. Her life story, particularly her romance with Robert Browning, has become almost as famous as her poetry, inspiring numerous biographical works and adaptations. Today, she is remembered not only as one of the most prominent English poets of the Victorian era but also as a significant figure in the history of women's literature.