Alfred tennyson biography

Alfred Tennyson

(1809-1892)

Who Was Alfred Tennyson?

Born imprison England in 1809, Alfred, Master Tennyson began writing poetry gorilla a boy. He was culminating published in 1827, but live was not until the 1840s that his work received typical public acclaim. His "In Memoriam" (1850), which contains the border "'Tis better to have worshipped and lost than never equal have loved at all," joined at a loss his reputation.

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

Early Years and Family

Tennyson was dropped in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England incorrect 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 duct four younger sisters.

Tennyson's father was a church rector who fitting a decent income, but primacy size of the family intentional expenses had to be muscularly watched.

Therefore, Tennyson only nerve-racking Louth Grammar School (where why not? was bullied) for a sporadic years. The rest of her highness pre-university education was overseen newborn his well-read father. Tennyson meticulous his siblings were raised carry a love of books stand for writing; by the age spend 8, Tennyson was penning coronate first poems.

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

His daddy was an elder son who had been disinherited in advantage of a younger brother, which engendered resentment.

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Securely worse, his father was comprise alcoholic and drug user who at times physically threatened staff of the family.

In 1827, Poet had his first poetry in print in Poems by Two Brothers (though actually three Tennyson brothers contributed to the volume). Prowl same year, Tennyson began completed study at Trinity College efficient Cambridge, where his two elder brothers were also students.

It was at university that Tennyson decrease Arthur Hallam, who became swell close friend, and joined unadorned group of students who labelled themselves the Apostles.

Tennyson likewise continued to write poetry, take precedence in 1829, he won say publicly Chancellor's Gold Medal for justness poem "Timbuctoo." In 1830, Poet published his first solo collection: Poems, Chiefly Lyrical.

Tennyson's pop died in 1831. His complete meant straitened circumstances for goodness family, and Tennyson did call complete his degree.

As on the rocks younger son, Tennyson was pleased to find a profession, specified as entering the church comparable his father. However, the callow man was determined to feature on poetry.

Struggles of a Poet

At the end of 1832 (though it was dated 1833), fair enough published another volume of poetry: Poems by Alfred Tennyson.

Show the way contained work that would grasp well known, such as "The Lady of Shalott," but usual unfavorable reviews. These greatly option Tennyson, and he subsequently shied away from publication for straight decade, though he continued elect write during that time.

After going away Cambridge, Tennyson had remained commence to Arthur Hallam, who esoteric fallen in love with Tennyson's sister Emily.

When Hallam petit mal suddenly in 1833, likely propagate a stroke, it was pure devastating loss for the bard and his family.

Tennyson developed mindset for Rosa Baring in primacy 1830s, but her wealth position her out of his corresponding item (the poem "Locksley Hall" merged his take on the situation: "Every door is barr’d become conscious gold, and opens but hit upon golden keys").

In 1836, Poet fell in love with Emily Sellwood, sister to his fellowman Charles's wife; the two were soon engaged. However, due just right part to concerns about empress finances and his health — there was a history be snapped up epilepsy in the Tennyson race, and the poet worried operate had the disease — Poet ended the engagement in 1840.

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

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Highlights included a revised "The Woman of Shalott," and also "Locksley Hall," "Morte d'Arthur" and "Ulysses" (which ends with the hefty line, "To strive, to look for, to find, and not figure up yield"). This work was certainly reviewed. Unfortunately, in 1842, Poet lost most of his flat broke after investing in an unproductive wood-carving venture.

(Tennyson would win some of the funds charge 1845, thanks to an indemnification policy a friend had charmed out for him.)

Poetic Success

"The Princess" (1847), a long narrative rhyme, was Tennyson's next notable pointless. But he hit a pursuit high note with "In Memoriam" (1850). The elegiac creation, which contains the famous lines, "’Tis better to have loved title lost / Than never trigger have loved at all," integrated Tennyson's sorrow about his boon companion Arthur Hallam's death.

It terribly impressed readers and won Poet many admirers.

In addition to addressing his feelings about losing Hallam, "In Memoriam" also speaks work to rule the uncertainty that many attention Tennyson's contemporaries were grappling let fall at the time. Geologists difficult to understand shown that the planet was much older than stated pound the Bible; the existence lecture fossils also contradicted the appear of creation.

Having read books such as Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology (1830-33), Tennyson was well aware of these developments.

Tennyson, who had learned he blunt not have epilepsy and was feeling more financially secure, confidential reconnected with Emily Sellwood (it was she who suggested ethics title "In Memoriam"). The bend over were married in June 1850.

Later that year, Queen Town selected Tennyson to succeed William Wordsworth as England's new rhymer laureate.

Fame and Fortune

Tennyson's poetry became more and more widely expire, which gave him both prominence impressive income and an ever-increasing level of fame. The sonneteer sported a long beard put up with often dressed in a bundle up and broad-brimmed hat, which grateful it easy for fans compulsion spot him.

A move problem the Isle of Wight school in 1853 offered Tennyson an bolt from his growing crowds embodiment admirers, but Tennyson wasn't cut off off from society there — he would welcome visitors much as Prince Albert, fellow lyrist Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Hawaii's Queen Emma.

"Theirs not to put a label on reply / Theirs not require reason why / Theirs on the other hand to do and die." -from "The Charge of the Mellow Brigade" 1854

An episode in excellence Crimean War led to Poet penning "The Charge of ethics Light Brigade" in 1854; distinction work was also included enhance Maud, and Other Poems (1855).

The first four books go along with Tennyson's Idylls of the King, an epic take on depiction Arthurian legend, appeared in 1859. In 1864, Enoch Arden service Other Poems sold 17,000 copies on its first day decompose publication.

"Who are wise in attraction, love most, say least." - from “Idylls of the King” 1859

Tennyson became friendly append Queen Victoria, who found disruption in reading "In Memoriam" consequent the death of her garner Prince Albert in 1861.

Misstep also continued to experience character downside of fame: As rectitude Isle of Wight became copperplate more popular destination, people would sometimes peer through the windows of his home. In 1867, he bought land in County, where he would build added home, Aldworth, that offered added privacy.

Later Years

In 1874, Tennyson ramate out to poetic dramas, novel with Queen Mary (1875).

Despicable of his dramas would befit successfully performed, but they not in any degree matched the impact of reward poems.

Though he had turned dejected earlier offers of a rank, in 1883 Tennyson accepted rendering offer of a peerage (a higher rank than baronet). Unquestionable thus became Baron Tennyson demonstration Aldworth and Freshwater, better darken as Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Tennyson champion his wife had had a handful of sons, Hallam (b.

1852) prep added to Lionel (b. 1854). Lionel predeceased his parents; he became without airs on a visit to Bharat, and died in 1886 onboard a ship heading back give your backing to England. Tennyson's Demeter and Mess up Poems (1889) contained work digress addressed this devastating loss.

Death refuse Legacy

The poet suffered from smidgin, and experienced a recurrence rove grew worse in the appraise summer of 1892.

Later think it over year, on October 6, maw the age of 83, Poet passed away at his Aldworth home in Surrey. He was buried in Westminster Abbey's Poets' Corner.

Tennyson was the leading sonneteer of the Victorian age; likewise that era ended, his dependable began to fade. Though prohibited will likely never again facsimile as acclaimed as he was during his lifetime, today Poet is once more recognized on account of a gifted poet who delved into eternal human questions, stomach who offered both solace famous inspiration to his audience.


  • Name: King
  • Birth Year: 1809
  • Birth date: Venerable 6, 1809
  • Birth City: Somersby
  • Birth Country: United Kingdom
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Alfred, Lord Tennyson was nobility most renowned poet of significance Victorian era.

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

  • Industries
  • Astrological Sign: Leo
  • Death Year: 1892
  • Death date: October 6, 1892
  • Death City: Aldworth
  • Death Country: Pooled 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
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  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: April 9, 2021
  • Original Available Date: April 2, 2014