Elizabeth Barrett Browning

(1806- 1861)
Victorian Poet

Elizabeth Barret was born on March 6, 1806 in Durham, England.
She lived a privileged childhood as her father Edward M. Barret was an affluent businessman and land owner. Unlike women of her time, Barret studied Greek and Latin; she spent a great deal of her time reading the works of classical literature Racine, Moliere, and Dante — as well as histories of England, Greece, and Rome. She began writing rhyming couplets at a very young age and read the works of Shakespeare, Milton and Pope. Moreover, her thirst for knowledge compelled her to learn the language of Hebrew in order to read the Old Testament through and through. However, due to ill health, her personal life was somewhat restrained. Elizabeth Barret lived in semi seclusion as an invalid in her father's house where she occasionally received visitors. But by1838, Barret published her first major work: The Seraphim and Other Poems where she received critical acclaim for her work and was considered as England's most gifted poet of her time. That raw talent attracted Robert Browning to the highest degree. He was an aspiring poet back then, but not yet known. They exchanged correspondence (over five hundred letters over the period of twenty months) and so, became one of the most famous literature courtship in history. In one of his letters he declared his ardent affection for her: "I do as I say, love these books with all my heart - and I Love you."
Their first meeting took place at her father's house. Although her tyrannical and protective father forbade Elizabeth to ever marry — the couple eloped to Italy where they were secretly married in 1846. The Brownings made their home in Florence and she named their house Casa Guidi (after a special interest she held toward the Italian struggle for independence at the time.) Her health improved immensely and she seemed to flourish while managing to regain most of her strength. They both enjoyed a rich and fulfilling life together until her death on June 29, 1861.

In 1850 upon Woodworth's death — Elizabeth B. Browning received several nominations from respected reviewers and was considered for a Laureateship, but the honour was bestowed to Alfred Tennyson instead. Browning's poetry had an immense impact on the works of
Emily Dickinson and many other poets who admired her greatly.

"Measure not the work until the day's out and the labor done"
- Elizabeth Barret Browning