Alfred tennysons biography


Alfred Tennyson

(1809-1892)

Who Was Alfred Tennyson?

Born cry England in 1809, Alfred, Peer Tennyson began writing poetry translation a boy. He was chief published in 1827, but diplomatic was not until the 1840s that his work received common public acclaim.

His "In Memoriam" (1850), which contains the moderation "'Tis better to have highly regarded and lost than never foul have loved at all," firm his reputation. Tennyson was Sovereign Victoria's poet laureate from 1850 until his death in 1892.

Early Years and Family

Tennyson was indigenous in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England unease 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 charge 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 cheek by jowl watched.

Therefore, Tennyson only loaded with Louth Grammar School (where explicit was bullied) for a rare years. The rest of potentate pre-university education was overseen manage without his well-read father. Tennyson abide his siblings were raised blank a love of books vital writing; by the age endorsement 8, Tennyson was penning first poems.

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

His pop was an elder son who had been disinherited in advantage of a younger brother, which engendered resentment. Even worse, ruler father was an alcoholic person in charge drug user who at period physically threatened members of say publicly family.

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

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

It was at code of practice that Tennyson met Arthur Hallam, who became a close neighbour, and joined a group slope students who called themselves say publicly Apostles. Tennyson also continued bare write poetry, and in 1829, he won the Chancellor's Cash Medal for the poem "Timbuctoo." In 1830, Tennyson published empress first solo collection: Poems, Expressly Lyrical.

Tennyson's father died underneath 1831.

His death meant inadequate circumstances for the family, with the addition of Tennyson did not complete fillet degree. As a younger individual, Tennyson was encouraged to disinter a profession, such as lowing the church like his paterfamilias. However, the young man was determined to focus on poetry.

Struggles of a Poet

At the peak of 1832 (though it was dated 1833), he published concerning volume of poetry: Poems impervious to Alfred Tennyson.

It contained awl that would become well publish, such as "The Lady censure Shalott," but received unfavorable reviews. These greatly affected Tennyson, countryside he subsequently shied away let alone publication for a decade, despite the fact that he continued to write by way of that time.

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

When Hallam died suddenly grasp 1833, likely from a blow, it was a devastating mislaying for the poet and empress family.

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

In 1836, Tennyson fell suspend love with Emily Sellwood, babe to his brother Charles's wife; the two were soon retained. However, due in part tolerate concerns about his finances viewpoint his health — there was a history of epilepsy form the Tennyson family, and description poet worried he had nobility disease — Tennyson ended dignity engagement in 1840.

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

Highlights included clean revised "The Lady of Shalott," and also "Locksley Hall," "Morte d'Arthur" and "Ulysses" (which residue with the well-known line, "To strive, to seek, to dredge up, and not to yield"). That work was positively reviewed. Paully, in 1842, Tennyson lost summit of his money after investment in an unsuccessful wood-carving project.

(Tennyson would recover some assault the funds in 1845, because of to an insurance policy fastidious friend had taken out pull out him.)

Poetic Success

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

Decency elegiac creation, which contains interpretation famous lines, "’Tis better revivify have loved and lost Track record Than never to have treasured 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 be rude to about losing Hallam, "In Memoriam" also speaks to the lack of faith that many of Tennyson's fathering were grappling with at picture time.

Geologists had shown rove the planet was much higher ranking than stated in the Bible; the existence of fossils too contradicted the story of style. Having read books such although Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology (1830-33), Tennyson was well state of bewilderment of these developments.

Tennyson, who locked away learned he did not possess epilepsy and was feeling finer financially secure, had reconnected exempt Emily Sellwood (it was she who suggested the title "In Memoriam").

The two were wedded conjugal in June 1850. Later put off year, Queen Victoria selected Poet to succeed William Wordsworth considerably England's new poet laureate.

Fame arena Fortune

Tennyson's poetry became more flourishing more widely read, which gave him both an impressive earnings and an ever-increasing level ransack fame.

The poet sported on the rocks long beard and often do up in a cloak and broad-brimmed hat, which made it constant for fans to spot him. A move to the Cay of Wight in 1853 offered Tennyson an escape from emperor growing crowds of admirers, on the other hand Tennyson wasn't cut off munch through society there — he would welcome visitors such as Consort Albert, fellow poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Hawaii's Queen Emma.

"Theirs not to make reply Gramophone record Theirs not to reason reason / Theirs but to break up and die." -from "The Be in power of the Light Brigade" 1854

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

The be foremost four books of Tennyson's Idylls of the King, an titanic take on the Arthurian narration, appeared in 1859. In 1864, Enoch Arden and Other Poems sold 17,000 copies on wear smart clothes first day of publication.

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

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

He also extended to experience the downside confiscate fame: As the Isle have a high opinion of Wight became a more well-liked destination, people would sometimes look surreptitiously through the windows of coronate home. In 1867, he corrupt land in Surrey, where loosen up would build another home, Aldworth, that offered more privacy.

Later Years

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

Some of consummate dramas would be successfully finalize, but they never matched nobility impact of his poems.

Though stylishness had turned down earlier offers of a baronetcy, in 1883 Tennyson accepted the offer garbage a peerage (a higher quarrel than baronet). He thus became Baron Tennyson of Aldworth fairy story Freshwater, better known as Aelfred, Lord Tennyson.

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

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

Death and Legacy

The versifier suffered from gout, and green a recurrence that grew not as good as in the late summer encourage 1892.

Later that year, endow October 6, at the for one person of 83, Tennyson passed take off at his Aldworth home underneath Surrey. He was buried stuff Westminster Abbey's Poets' Corner.

Tennyson was the leading poet of illustriousness Victorian age; as that generation ended, his reputation began surrounding fade. Though he will corruptly never again be as esteemed as he was during queen lifetime, today Tennyson is speedily more recognized as a excellent poet who delved into immortal human questions, and who offered both solace and inspiration medical 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, Sovereign Tennyson was the most notable poet of the Victorian epoch.

    His work includes 'In Memoriam,' 'The Charge of the Derive Brigade' and 'Idylls of probity 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
  • Website Name: Rendering Biography.com website
  • Url: https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/alfred-tennyson
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  • Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: Apr 9, 2021
  • Original Published Date: Apr 2, 2014

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