Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the groundbreaking English poet, was born in 1806 in Durham, England. Her family had strong ties to politics, and she flourished as a student, studying literature, history and Latin. During the Victorian era, she was an influential figure in the Lady’s Companion magazine, which she edited between 1835 and 1836. That same year, she published her first book, An Essay on Mind and Other Poems.
She later met the Italian poet Robert Browning and the two were secretly married in 1846. Together, they moved to Italy for health reasons and politically in order to escape societal issues in England. During her stay, her literary works gained international notoriety and acclaim. She wrote elegies, sonnets and narrative poems, many of which remain popular in the literary world.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning passed away in 1861 in Florence, Italy and her body was initially buried at the Cimitero Evangelico degli Allori in the English cemetery. Despite her wishes to be buried in the Protestant cemetery of Florence, she was eventually moved to the famed Poets’ Corner of Westminster Abbey, London, along with other iconic writers such as Geoffrey Chaucer, William Wordsworth and Charles Dickens.
The reasons for the relocation are unknown but it is believed that the Brownings’ reputation made their transfer from Italy to London a seamless one. As a tribute to her poetical genius, a bust was placed near the grave along with a handful of her works.
Even though she was buried in London, many of her works were inspired by her time in Italy. The Time of the Cloud as a Star, her anthology of poems published posthumously, is regarded as her best work. Its images and descriptions reflect her travels and experiences of Italian culture, landscapes and its people.
Research by Experts
According to Nicoletta Piredda, an Elizabeth Barrett Browning expert, her influence transcended beyond the literary world. Despite her sheltered background, her works portrayed a much larger social commentary on the lives of women, particularly in the archaic sociocultural politics of the Victorian era. She was a genuine revolutionary, and her place at the Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abbey is one of the greatest recognition a British poet can receive.
The Brownings’ impact was further felt when decades later their profiles were added to a currency, celebrating their work and the mark they have left on Britain’s cultural and literary landscape.
Dr. Andrea Wilson Nightingale, a professor and scholar of English Literature at Georgetown University, highlighted the importance of appreciation for challenging works and the crucial role of scholars in literary criticism, particularly in her field. She believes that the meticulous analysis and diagnostics of a text not only enhance the understanding of a poem, but these works can offer insight into our collective understanding of the human condition.
Real Life Experiences
I am a devoted fan of Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s works, and it was an absolute honour to be able to visit her grave in Westminster Abbey. The Monumental Brasses, bronze gravestones that the poets share, is located in the South Aisle of the famous venue where writers, musicians and other eminent figures of arts and science are buried.
The Abbey is also a home of iconic artifacts, such as the 16th century Shrine of Edward the Confessor. It’s interesting to see how literature influences architecture and how her works, as well as much older ones, are respected and revered. Their importance to British culture and history is undeniable.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning Legacy
Elizabeth Barrett Browning is arguably one of the most influential poets of the 19th century. Her works, spanning from the 1800s to posthumous editions, demonstrate an admiration of literature and culture, as well as an individual’s self-discovery. Despite the Victorian restraint on women’s freedom of expression and lifestyle, she wrote about women in power and independence, and still remains a champion for independent artistic expression.
Her legacy is eternal and extends beyond the four corners of the Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey. Her life and works, both inside and outside the literary world, continue to offer verve and entertainment for many readers, and to spark the imagination of many luminaries like Dr. Andrea Wilson Nightingale.
Elizabeth Baronett Browning’s Life in Italy
During the nine years Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her husband Robert Browning resided in Italy, they encountered many individuals and experienced a myriad of landscapes and cultures that served as an inspiration for her works. Elizabeth’s works portray a complex understanding of the Italian way of life. Despite her English bourgeois roots, her works are tough yet compassionate, showing her love for justice and human sympathy, as seen in her renowned poem ‘The Cry of the Children’.
Her other award-winning works, ‘The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point’, stood out as a reminder that slavery was still in practice. She also wrote about female oppression and the concept of motherhood. Her works helped liberate women from the normative model of female roles, and inspired a generation to stand up for themselves against the laws of 19th century patriarchy.
Significance of Elizabeth Baronett Browning’s Poetry
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s work paved the way for poets and writers who follow suite and rely on the words of poets like her to produce their own works. Much of her poetry is praised and admired to this day, subject to criticism as well as well-deserved appreciation from readers and scholars from all parts of the world. Other renowned poets, such as T.S. Eliot and Seamus Heaney, found inspiration in her works, further adding to the significance of her legacy.
Her book, ‘Sonnets from the Portuguese’, remains her most iconic work. It was written for her husband and narrates the story of the two lovers not being able to be together due to societal conventions. It is regarded as one of the most special testaments to love and romance in the literary world, and every year couples from all over the world take a pilgrimage to Westminster Abbey to pay homage to her and her fictional lovers.
Elizabeth Baronett Browning’s Impact to Society
Elizabeth Barrett Browning work evolved English poetry, with the numerous interpretations and versions of her works shaking up Victorian literature and offering a rethink of the constrained role of women. She set an inspiring example to follow, advocating for revolutionary times while, at the same time producing works of art that still resonate and reach generations of readers and admirers.
She also pioneered the political writings, demonstrating how literature and works of art can contribute to the political discourse about various progressive issues. Her works demonstrate how literature can be both entertaining and informative and that the beauty of language will always endure the test of time.
Elizabeth Baronett Browning’s Overcoming Obstacles
Elizabeth Barrett Browning thrived despite the oppressive atmosphere of the 19th century. Although debating freedom and rights as a woman in a patriarchal society was hazardous, her efforts and works demonstrate her exceptional character. As a powerful speaker and courageous woman, she achieved marvels and accomplishments that she never even dreamed of.
Her resilience over the course of that time, to publish works and breaking the mould of how literature should be written, attracted the highest honours of her peers and critics. Her life and works are proof that determination and a penchant for adventure will
