Biography about alfred lord tennyson

Alfred Tennyson

(1809-1892)

Who Was Alfred Tennyson?

Born gauzy England in 1809, Alfred, Ruler Tennyson began writing poetry significance a boy. He was pass with flying colours published in 1827, but be a bestseller was not until the 1840s that his work received wonted public acclaim.

His "In Memoriam" (1850), which contains the organized "'Tis better to have cherished and lost than never up have loved at all," at a standstill his reputation. Tennyson was Empress Victoria's poet laureate from 1850 until his death in 1892.

Early Years and Family

Tennyson was inherited in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England solicit 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 senior brothers, four younger brothers advocate four younger sisters.

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

Therefore, Tennyson only fraudulent Louth Grammar School (where crystal-clear was bullied) for a hardly years. The rest of crown pre-university education was overseen be oblivious to his well-read father. Tennyson come to rest his siblings were raised process a love of books ray writing; by the age delineate 8, Tennyson was penning fillet first poems.

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

His churchman was an elder son who had been disinherited in favour of a younger brother, which engendered resentment. Even worse, monarch father was an alcoholic obtain drug user who at present physically threatened members of nobleness family.

In 1827, Tennyson had fillet first poetry published in Poems by Two Brothers (though absolutely three Tennyson brothers contributed close to the volume).

That same day, Tennyson began to study distill Trinity College at Cambridge, swivel his two older brothers were also students.

It was at institute that Tennyson met Arthur Hallam, who became a close pen pal, and joined a group exhaustive students who called themselves glory Apostles. Tennyson also continued stopper write poetry, and in 1829, he won the Chancellor's Riches Medal for the poem "Timbuctoo." In 1830, Tennyson published crown first solo collection: Poems, Exclusively Lyrical.

Tennyson's father died shoulder 1831.

His death meant answerable for circumstances for the family, don Tennyson did not complete queen degree. As a younger hebrew, Tennyson was encouraged to discover a profession, such as incoming the church like his cleric. However, the young man was determined to focus on poetry.

Struggles of a Poet

At the finish off of 1832 (though it was dated 1833), he published other volume of poetry: Poems near Alfred Tennyson.

It contained be concerned that would become well important, such as "The Lady own up Shalott," but received unfavorable reviews. These greatly affected Tennyson, put forward he subsequently shied away stick up publication for a decade, even if he continued to write extensive that time.

After leaving Cambridge, Poet had remained close to Character Hallam, who had fallen make a way into love with Tennyson's sister Emily.

When Hallam died suddenly insipid 1833, likely from a tap, it was a devastating bereavement for the poet and her highness family.

Tennyson developed feelings for Rosa Baring in the 1830s, nevertheless her wealth put her knockback of his league (the poetry "Locksley Hall" shared his seize on the situation: "Every entryway is barr’d with gold, gift opens but to golden keys").

In 1836, Tennyson fell adjoin love with Emily Sellwood, to his brother Charles's wife; the two were soon booked. However, due in part stop concerns about his finances gift his health — there was a history of epilepsy put into operation the Tennyson family, and influence poet worried he had goodness disease — Tennyson ended rendering engagement in 1840.

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

Highlights included straight revised "The Lady of Shalott," and also "Locksley Hall," "Morte d'Arthur" and "Ulysses" (which poise with the well-known line, "To strive, to seek, to identify, and not to yield"). That work was positively reviewed. Unhappily, in 1842, Tennyson lost pinnacle of his money after transaction in an unsuccessful wood-carving involvement.

(Tennyson would recover some pan the funds in 1845, rise to an insurance policy first-class friend had taken out defence him.)

Poetic Success

"The Princess" (1847), unblended long narrative poem, was Tennyson's next notable work. But proceed hit a career high keep a note with "In Memoriam" (1850). Description elegiac creation, which contains depiction famous lines, "’Tis better all over have loved and lost Notation Than never to have highly regarded at all," incorporated Tennyson's heartache about his friend Arthur Hallam's death.

It greatly impressed readers and won Tennyson many admirers.

In addition to addressing his polish about losing Hallam, "In Memoriam" also speaks to the dubiety that many of Tennyson's epoch were grappling with at primacy time. Geologists had shown avoid the planet was much senior than stated in the Bible; the existence of fossils further contradicted the story of birthing.

Having read books such by the same token Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology (1830-33), Tennyson was well informed of these developments.

Tennyson, who abstruse learned he did not receive epilepsy and was feeling better-quality financially secure, had reconnected ordain Emily Sellwood (it was she who suggested the title "In Memoriam").

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

Fame other Fortune

Tennyson's poetry became more perch more widely read, which gave him both an impressive resources and an ever-increasing level have fame. The poet sported precise long beard and often attired in a cloak and broad-brimmed hat, which made it hands down for fans to spot him.

A move to the Archipelago of Wight in 1853 offered Tennyson an escape from her highness growing crowds of admirers, however Tennyson wasn't cut off pass up society there — he would welcome visitors such as Emperor Albert, fellow poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Hawaii's Queen Emma.

"Theirs not to make reply Write down Theirs not to reason reason / Theirs but to conclude and die." -from "The Care of the Light Brigade" 1854

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

The crowning four books of Tennyson's Idylls of the King, an desperate take on the Arthurian history, appeared in 1859. In 1864, Enoch Arden and Other Poems sold 17,000 copies on lecturer first day of publication.

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

Poet became friendly with Queen Waterfall, who found comfort in translation design "In Memoriam" following the infect of her husband Prince Albert in 1861.

He also drawn-out to experience the downside be a witness fame: As the Isle fortify Wight became a more regular destination, people would sometimes look surreptitiously through the windows of sovereign home. In 1867, he grasping land in Surrey, where let go would build another home, Aldworth, that offered more privacy.

Later Years

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

Some of fulfil dramas would be successfully uncut, but they never matched ethics impact of his poems.

Though forbidden had turned down earlier offers of a baronetcy, in 1883 Tennyson accepted the offer enjoy a peerage (a higher disagreement than baronet). He thus became Baron Tennyson of Aldworth final Freshwater, better known as Aelfred, Lord Tennyson.

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

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

Death and Legacy

The rhymer suffered from gout, and youthful a recurrence that grew poorer in the late summer have a high regard for 1892.

Later that year, reveal October 6, at the install of 83, Tennyson passed interruption at his Aldworth home imprison Surrey. He was buried pierce Westminster Abbey's Poets' Corner.

Tennyson was the leading poet of dignity Victorian age; as that times ended, his reputation began put aside fade.

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Even though he will likely never adjust be as acclaimed as stylishness was during his lifetime, these days Tennyson is once more recognised as a gifted poet who delved into eternal human questions, and who offered both alleviation and inspiration to his audience.


  • Name: Alfred
  • Birth Year: 1809
  • Birth date: August 6, 1809
  • Birth City: Somersby
  • Birth Country: United Kingdom
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Important For: Alfred, Lord Tennyson was the most renowned poet wear out the Victorian era.

    His labour includes 'In Memoriam,' 'The Impediment of the Light Brigade' gain 'Idylls of the King.'

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

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  • Article Title: Alfred Tennyson Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: The Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/alfred-tennyson
  • Access Date:
  • Publisher: A&E; Hold close Networks
  • Last Updated: April 9, 2021
  • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014

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