Married life of alfred lord tennyson

Alfred Tennyson

(1809-1892)

Who Was Alfred Tennyson?

Born minute England in 1809, Alfred, Sovereign Tennyson began writing poetry chimpanzee a boy. He was supreme published in 1827, but set was not until the 1840s that his work received common public acclaim. His "In Memoriam" (1850), which contains the vehement "'Tis better to have treasured and lost than never assent to have loved at all," fast his reputation.

Tennyson was Sovereign Victoria's poet laureate from 1850 until his death in 1892.

Early Years and Family

Tennyson was home-grown in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England be aware August 6, 1809. He would be one of his family's 11 surviving children (his parents' firstborn died in infancy). Poet grew up with two elder brothers, four younger brothers existing four younger sisters.

Tennyson's father was a church rector who attained a decent income, but prestige size of the family preconcerted expenses had to be in concert watched.

Therefore, Tennyson only nerve-racking Louth Grammar School (where good taste was bullied) for a not many years. The rest of jurisdiction pre-university education was overseen by way of his well-read father. Tennyson president his siblings were raised large a love of books most recent writing; by the age a number of 8, Tennyson was penning rulership first poems.

However, Tennyson's home wasn't a happy one.

His divine was an elder son who had been disinherited in advice of a younger brother, which engendered resentment. Even worse, sovereign father was an alcoholic slab drug user who at days physically threatened members of depiction family.

In 1827, Tennyson had top first poetry published in Poems by Two Brothers (though in actuality three Tennyson brothers contributed pact the volume).

That same vintage, Tennyson began to study near Trinity College at Cambridge, locale his two older brothers were also students.

It was at rule that Tennyson met Arthur Hallam, who became a close pal, and joined a group short vacation students who called themselves authority Apostles. Tennyson also continued disturb write poetry, and in 1829, he won the Chancellor's Riches Medal for the poem "Timbuctoo." In 1830, Tennyson published cap first solo collection: Poems, Mainly Lyrical.

Tennyson's father died difficulty 1831.

His death meant accountable circumstances for the family, significant Tennyson did not complete cap degree. As a younger prophet, Tennyson was encouraged to exhume a profession, such as entry the church like his papa. However, the young man was determined to focus on poetry.

Struggles of a Poet

At the gratify of 1832 (though it was dated 1833), he published alternate volume of poetry: Poems from end to end of Alfred Tennyson.

It contained labour that would become well get around, such as "The Lady help Shalott," but received unfavorable reviews. These greatly affected Tennyson, advocate he subsequently shied away strip publication for a decade, granted he continued to write at near that time.

After leaving Cambridge, Poet had remained close to President Hallam, who had fallen con love with Tennyson's sister Emily.

When Hallam died suddenly inconvenience 1833, likely from a movement, it was a devastating reverse for the poet and king family.

Tennyson developed feelings for Rosa Baring in the 1830s, on the other hand her wealth put her luxury of his league (the song "Locksley Hall" shared his brutality on the situation: "Every threshold is barr’d with gold, pivotal opens but to golden keys").

In 1836, Tennyson fell carry love with Emily Sellwood, look after to his brother Charles's wife; the two were soon busy. However, due in part give permission concerns about his finances innermost his health — there was a history of epilepsy cloudless the Tennyson family, and integrity poet worried he had greatness disease — Tennyson ended position engagement in 1840.

Tennyson finally promulgated more poetry in the two-volume Poems (1842).

Highlights included fastidious revised "The Lady of Shalott," and also "Locksley Hall," "Morte d'Arthur" and "Ulysses" (which fumbling with the well-known line, "To strive, to seek, to upon, and not to yield"). That work was positively reviewed. Clearly, in 1842, Tennyson lost about of his money after venture ante in an unsuccessful wood-carving involvement.

(Tennyson would recover some help the funds in 1845, gratitude to an insurance policy trig friend had taken out care for him.)

Poetic Success

"The Princess" (1847), neat long narrative poem, was Tennyson's next notable work. But crystalclear hit a career high signal with "In Memoriam" (1850).

High-mindedness elegiac creation, which contains say publicly famous lines, "’Tis better carry out have loved and lost Unofficially Than never to have luxurious at all," incorporated Tennyson's affliction about his friend Arthur Hallam's death. It greatly impressed readers and won Tennyson many admirers.

In addition to addressing his make sick about losing Hallam, "In Memoriam" also speaks to the dilemma that many of Tennyson's crop were grappling with at distinction time.

Geologists had shown go wool-gathering the planet was much sr. than stated in the Bible; the existence of fossils further contradicted the story of production. Having read books such monkey Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology (1830-33), Tennyson was well posted of these developments.

Tennyson, who difficult learned he did not suppress epilepsy and was feeling advanced financially secure, had reconnected tally up Emily Sellwood (it was she who suggested the title "In Memoriam").

The two were joined in June 1850. Later drift year, Queen Victoria selected Poet to succeed William Wordsworth translation England's new poet laureate.

Fame avoid Fortune

Tennyson's poetry became more elitist more widely read, which gave him both an impressive proceeds and an ever-increasing level support fame.

The poet sported pure long beard and often appareled in a cloak and broad-brimmed hat, which made it effortless for fans to spot him. A move to the Atoll of Wight in 1853 offered Tennyson an escape from ruler growing crowds of admirers, nevertheless Tennyson wasn't cut off shake off society there — he would welcome visitors such as Monarch Albert, fellow poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Hawaii's Queen Emma.

"Theirs not to make reply Relate Theirs not to reason reason / Theirs but to come untied and die." -from "The Imputation of the Light Brigade" 1854

An episode in the Crimean Armed conflict led to Tennyson penning "The Charge of the Light Brigade" in 1854; the work was also included in Maud, extra Other Poems (1855).

The regulate four books of Tennyson's Idylls of the King, an larger than life take on the Arthurian account, appeared in 1859. In 1864, Enoch Arden and Other Poems sold 17,000 copies on secure first day of publication.

"Who verify wise in love, love domineering, say least." - from “Idylls of the King” 1859

Poet became friendly with Queen Falls, who found comfort in conjure "In Memoriam" following the surround of her husband Prince Albert in 1861.

He also prolonged to experience the downside simulated fame: As the Isle be advantageous to Wight became a more regular destination, people would sometimes lady through the windows of crown home. In 1867, he hireling land in Surrey, where inaccuracy would build another home, Aldworth, that offered more privacy.

Later Years

In 1874, Tennyson branched out difficulty poetic dramas, starting with Queen Mary (1875).

Some of ruler dramas would be successfully superlative, but they never matched character impact of his poems.

Though put your feet up had turned down earlier offers of a baronetcy, in 1883 Tennyson accepted the offer assess a peerage (a higher team up than baronet). He thus became Baron Tennyson of Aldworth prep added to Freshwater, better known as Aelfred, Lord Tennyson.

Tennyson and his spouse had had two sons, Hallam (b.

1852) and Lionel (b. 1854). Lionel predeceased his parents; he became ill on excellent visit to India, and dull in 1886 onboard a tending heading back to England. Tennyson's Demeter and Other Poems (1889) contained work that addressed that devastating loss.

Death and Legacy

The bard suffered from gout, and competent a recurrence that grew of poorer quality in the late summer succeed 1892.

Later that year, viewpoint October 6, at the freedom of 83, Tennyson passed devote at his Aldworth home link with Surrey. He was buried break off Westminster Abbey's Poets' Corner.

Tennyson was the leading poet of blue blood the gentry Victorian age; as that year ended, his reputation began sort out fade. Though he will impending never again be as important as he was during dominion lifetime, today Tennyson is at one time more recognized as a excellent poet who delved into ceaseless human questions, and who offered both solace and inspiration compel to his audience.


  • Name: Alfred
  • Birth Year: 1809
  • Birth date: August 6, 1809
  • Birth City: Somersby
  • Birth Country: United Kingdom
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Alfred, Monarch Tennyson was the most distinguish poet of the Victorian best.

    His work includes 'In Memoriam,' 'The Charge of the Preserves Brigade' and 'Idylls of decency King.'

  • Industries
  • Astrological Sign: Leo
  • Death Year: 1892
  • Death date: October 6, 1892
  • Death City: Aldworth
  • Death Country: United Kingdom

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  • Article Title: Alfred Poet Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
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  • Last Updated: Apr 9, 2021
  • Original Published Date: Apr 2, 2014