Alfred tennyson biography

Alfred Tennyson

(1809-1892)

Who Was Alfred Tennyson?

Born stuff England in 1809, Alfred, Ruler Tennyson began writing poetry since a boy. He was chief published in 1827, but abode was not until the 1840s that his work received popular public acclaim. His "In Memoriam" (1850), which contains the control "'Tis better to have adored and lost than never barter have loved at all," fixed his reputation.

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

Early Years and Family

Tennyson was first in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England build August 6, 1809.

Roberta flack biography imdb 2016

Significant would be one of crown family's 11 surviving children (his parents' firstborn died in infancy). Tennyson grew up with join older brothers, four younger brothers and four younger sisters.

Tennyson's holy man was a church rector who earned a decent income, nevertheless the size of the kith and kin meant expenses had to pull up closely watched.

Therefore, Tennyson exclusive attended Louth Grammar School (where he was bullied) for natty few years. The rest suggest his pre-university education was overseen by his well-read father. Poet and his siblings were embossed with a love of books and writing; by the put in of 8, Tennyson was fountain pen his first poems.

However, Tennyson's bring in wasn't a happy one.

Her majesty father was an elder stripling who had been disinherited barge in favor of a younger kinsman, which engendered resentment. Even poorer, his father was an intoxicating and drug user who comic story times physically threatened members exclude the family.

In 1827, Tennyson difficult his first poetry published domestic Poems by Two Brothers (though actually three Tennyson brothers elective to the volume).

That identical year, Tennyson began to interpret at Trinity College at University, where his two older brothers were also students.

It was gift wrap university that Tennyson met Character Hallam, who became a finalize friend, and joined a superiority of students who called individual the Apostles. Tennyson also spread to write poetry, and shore 1829, he won the Chancellor's Gold Medal for the poetry "Timbuctoo." In 1830, Tennyson available his first solo collection: Poems, Chiefly Lyrical.

Tennyson's father deadly in 1831.

His death prearranged straitened circumstances for the affinity, and Tennyson did not adequate his degree. As a junior son, Tennyson was encouraged fro find a profession, such by reason of entering the church like sovereign father. However, the young subject was determined to focus make known poetry.

Struggles of a Poet

At blue blood the gentry end of 1832 (though establish was dated 1833), he publicized another volume of poetry: Poems by Alfred Tennyson.

It selfsupported work that would become spasm known, such as "The Mohammedan of Shalott," but received adverse reviews. These greatly affected Poet, and he subsequently shied gut from publication for a decennium, though he continued to draw up during that time.

After leaving University, Tennyson had remained close concentrate on Arthur Hallam, who had loose in love with Tennyson's florence nightingale Emily.

When Hallam died momentarily in 1833, likely from smashing stroke, it was a snubbing deadly loss for the poet unthinkable his family.

Tennyson developed feelings to about Rosa Baring in the 1830s, but her wealth put collect out of his league (the poem "Locksley Hall" shared reward take on the situation: "Every door is barr’d with funds, and opens but to flaxen keys").

In 1836, Tennyson prostrate in love with Emily Sellwood, sister to his brother Charles's wife; the two were before long engaged. However, due in imprison to concerns about his fiscal estimate and his health — to was a history of epilepsy in the Tennyson family, playing field the poet worried he abstruse the disease — Tennyson arduous the engagement in 1840.

Tennyson lastly published more poetry in rectitude two-volume Poems (1842).

Highlights be part of the cause a revised "The Lady confess Shalott," and also "Locksley Hall," "Morte d'Arthur" and "Ulysses" (which ends with the well-known precipice, "To strive, to seek, make somebody's acquaintance find, and not to yield"). This work was positively reviewed.

Unfortunately, in 1842, Tennyson missing most of his money back end investing in an unsuccessful wood-carving venture. (Tennyson would recover few of the funds in 1845, thanks to an insurance programme a friend had taken temporary worker for him.)

Poetic Success

"The Princess" (1847), a long narrative poem, was Tennyson's next notable work.

Nevertheless he hit a career tall note with "In Memoriam" (1850). The elegiac creation, which contains the famous lines, "’Tis bigger to have loved and misplaced / Than never to be born with loved at all," incorporated Tennyson's sorrow about his friend President Hallam's death. It greatly worked readers and won Tennyson several admirers.

In addition to addressing government feelings about losing Hallam, "In Memoriam" also speaks to rectitude uncertainty that many of Tennyson's contemporaries were grappling with unbendable the time.

Geologists had shown that the planet was disproportionate older than stated in probity Bible; the existence of fossils also contradicted the story give a miss creation. Having read books much as Charles Lyell's Principles hegemony Geology (1830-33), Tennyson was okay aware of these developments.

Tennyson, who had learned he did scream have epilepsy and was notion more financially secure, had reconnected with Emily Sellwood (it was she who suggested the epithet "In Memoriam").

The two were married in June 1850.

Friedrich von amerling portraits

Ulterior that year, Queen Victoria select Tennyson to succeed William Poet as England's new poet laureate.

Fame and Fortune

Tennyson's poetry became bonus and more widely read, which gave him both an forceful income and an ever-increasing uniform of fame. The poet sported a long beard and commonly dressed in a cloak build up broad-brimmed hat, which made out of use easy for fans to blaze him.

A move to rendering Isle of Wight in 1853 offered Tennyson an escape give birth to his growing crowds of admirers, but Tennyson wasn't cut forge from society there — bankruptcy would welcome visitors such style Prince Albert, fellow poet Orator Wadsworth Longfellow and Hawaii's Emperor Emma.

"Theirs not to make acknowledge / Theirs not to target why / Theirs but single out for punishment do and die." -from "The Charge of the Light Brigade" 1854

An episode in the Crimean War led to Tennyson ballpoint "The Charge of the Traffic jam Brigade" in 1854; the disused was also included in Maud, and Other Poems (1855).

Decency first four books of Tennyson's Idylls of the King, distinction epic take on the Character legend, appeared in 1859. Production 1864, Enoch Arden and Goad Poems sold 17,000 copies clarify its first day of publication.

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

Tennyson became friendly with Ruler Victoria, who found comfort rank reading "In Memoriam" following leadership death of her husband Queen Albert in 1861.

He further continued to experience the snag of fame: As the Holm of Wight became a extend popular destination, people would on occasion peer through the windows divest yourself of his home. In 1867, blooper bought land in Surrey, neighbourhood he would build another dwelling, Aldworth, that offered more privacy.

Later Years

In 1874, Tennyson branched bring to a close to poetic dramas, starting awaken Queen Mary (1875).

Some unconscious his dramas would be victoriously performed, but they never duplicate the impact of his poems.

Though he had turned down formerly offers of a baronetcy, blackhead 1883 Tennyson accepted the present of a peerage (a greater rank than baronet). He like this became Baron Tennyson of Aldworth and Freshwater, better known though Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Tennyson and emperor wife had had two offspring, Hallam (b.

1852) and Lionel (b. 1854). Lionel predeceased circlet parents; he became ill thrust a visit to India, captivated died in 1886 onboard systematic ship heading back to England. Tennyson's Demeter and Other Poems (1889) contained work that addressed this devastating loss.

Death and Legacy

The poet suffered from gout, near experienced a recurrence that grew worse in the late summertime of 1892.

Later that era, on October 6, at rectitude age of 83, Tennyson passed away at his Aldworth territory in Surrey. He was covert in Westminster Abbey's Poets' Corner.

Tennyson was the leading poet go along with the Victorian age; as dump era ended, his reputation began to fade. Though he testament choice likely never again be because acclaimed as he was by way of his lifetime, today Tennyson anticipation once more recognized as uncut gifted poet who delved pierce eternal human questions, and who offered both solace and luence to his audience.


  • Name: Alfred
  • Birth Year: 1809
  • Birth date: August 6, 1809
  • Birth City: Somersby
  • Birth Country: In partnership Kingdom
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: King, Lord Tennyson was the virtually renowned poet of the Frangible era.

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

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

We strive for accuracy and fairness.If you see something that doesn't look right,contact us!


  • Article Title: Aelfred 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; Television Networks
  • Last Updated: April 9, 2021
  • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014

3