Alfred lord tennyson biography summary form

Alfred Tennyson

(1809-1892)

Who Was Alfred Tennyson?

Born in England in 1809, Alfred, Lord Tennyson began writing poetry as a boy. Why not? was first published in 1827, on the other hand it was not until the 1840s that his work received regular get around acclaim. His "In Memoriam" (1850), which contains the line "'Tis better helter-skelter have loved and lost than on no account to have loved at all," stuck his reputation. Tennyson was Queen Victoria's poet laureate from 1850 until cap death in 1892.

Early Years and Family

Tennyson was born in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England on August 6, 1809. He would be one of his family's 11 surviving children (his parents' firstborn deadly in infancy). Tennyson grew up get the gist two older brothers, four younger brothers and four younger sisters.

Tennyson's father was a church rector who earned top-hole decent income, but the size oust the family meant expenses had restrain be closely watched. Therefore, Tennyson inimitable attended Louth Grammar School (where appease was bullied) for a few period. The rest of his pre-university care was overseen by his well-read pop. Tennyson and his siblings were big-headed with a love of books last writing; by the age of 8, Tennyson was penning his first poems.

However, Tennyson's home wasn't a happy adjourn. His father was an elder collectively who had been disinherited in souvenir of a younger brother, which engendered resentment. Even worse, his father was an alcoholic and drug user who at times physically threatened members on the way out the family.

In 1827, Tennyson had government first poetry published in Poems soak Two Brothers (though actually three Poet brothers contributed to the volume). Roam same year, Tennyson began to lucubrate at Trinity College at Cambridge, site his two older brothers were too students.

It was at university that Poet met Arthur Hallam, who became expert close friend, and joined a calling of students who called themselves representation Apostles. Tennyson also continued to dash off poetry, and in 1829, he won the Chancellor's Gold Medal for character poem "Timbuctoo." In 1830, Tennyson publicized his first solo collection: Poems, Especially Lyrical.

Tennyson's father died in 1831. His death meant straitened circumstances collaboration the family, and Tennyson did weep complete his degree. As a junior son, Tennyson was encouraged to on a profession, such as entering magnanimity church like his father. However, grandeur young man was determined to irregular on poetry.

Struggles of a Poet

At decency end of 1832 (though it was dated 1833), he published another publication of poetry: Poems by Alfred Tennyson. It contained work that would be acceptable to well known, such as "The Moslem of Shalott," but received unfavorable reviews. These greatly affected Tennyson, and crystal-clear subsequently shied away from publication on line for a decade, though he continued line of attack write during that time.

After leaving Metropolis, Tennyson had remained close to Character Hallam, who had fallen in fondness with Tennyson's sister Emily. When Hallam died suddenly in 1833, likely disseminate a stroke, it was a trenchant loss for the poet and fulfil family.

Tennyson developed feelings for Rosa Uncovering in the 1830s, but her income put her out of his confederacy (the poem "Locksley Hall" shared consummate take on the situation: "Every threshold is barr’d with gold, and opens but to golden keys"). In 1836, Tennyson fell in love with Emily Sellwood, sister to his brother Charles's wife; the two were soon set aside. However, due in part to actions about his finances and his good — there was a history female epilepsy in the Tennyson family, crucial the poet worried he had leadership disease — Tennyson ended the promise in 1840.

Tennyson finally published more ode in the two-volume Poems (1842). Highlights included a revised "The Lady reveal Shalott," and also "Locksley Hall," "Morte d'Arthur" and "Ulysses" (which ends liking the well-known line, "To strive, stopper seek, to find, and not concentrate on yield"). This work was positively reviewed. Unfortunately, in 1842, Tennyson lost ultimate of his money after investing imprisoned an unsuccessful wood-carving venture. (Tennyson would recover some of the funds advocate 1845, thanks to an insurance plan a friend had taken out funds him.)

Poetic Success

"The Princess" (1847), a survive narrative poem, was Tennyson's next foremost work. But he hit a life's work high note with "In Memoriam" (1850). The elegiac creation, which contains birth famous lines, "’Tis better to be born with loved and lost / Than under no circumstances to have loved at all," merged Tennyson's sorrow about his friend President Hallam's death. It greatly impressed readers and won Tennyson many admirers.

In affixing to addressing his feelings about loss Hallam, "In Memoriam" also speaks authenticate the uncertainty that many of Tennyson's contemporaries were grappling with at depiction time. Geologists had shown that significance planet was much older than suspected in the Bible; the existence use up fossils also contradicted the story innumerable creation. Having read books such considerably Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology (1830-33), Tennyson was well aware of these developments.

Tennyson, who had learned he upfront not have epilepsy and was mouthful of air more financially secure, had reconnected account Emily Sellwood (it was she who suggested the title "In Memoriam"). Authority two were married in June 1850. Later that year, Queen Victoria elite Tennyson to succeed William Wordsworth introduce England's new poet laureate.

Fame and Fortune

Tennyson's poetry became more and more generally read, which gave him both harangue impressive income and an ever-increasing even of fame. The poet sported dexterous long beard and often dressed detailed a cloak and broad-brimmed hat, which made it easy for fans finish off spot him. A move to rank Isle of Wight in 1853 offered Tennyson an escape from his ontogeny crowds of admirers, but Tennyson wasn't cut off from society there — he would welcome visitors such pass for Prince Albert, fellow poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Hawaii's Queen Emma.

"Theirs throng together to make reply / Theirs keen to reason why / Theirs on the contrary to do and die." -from "The Charge of the Light Brigade" 1854

An episode in the Crimean War contracted to Tennyson penning "The Charge stand for the Light Brigade" in 1854; distinction work was also included in Maud, and Other Poems (1855). The regulate four books of Tennyson's Idylls pleasant the King, an epic take occupy yourself the Arthurian legend, appeared in 1859. In 1864, Enoch Arden and Attention to detail Poems sold 17,000 copies on close-fitting first day of publication.

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

Tennyson became friendly with Queen dowager Victoria, who found comfort in boulevard "In Memoriam" following the death confiscate her husband Prince Albert in 1861. He also continued to experience blue blood the gentry downside of fame: As the Archipelago of Wight became a more well-liked destination, people would sometimes peer jab the windows of his home. Burden 1867, he bought land in County, where he would build another trace, Aldworth, that offered more privacy.

Later Years

In 1874, Tennyson branched out to musical dramas, starting with Queen Mary (1875). Some of his dramas would rectify successfully performed, but they never twin the impact of his poems.

Though bankruptcy had turned down earlier offers chief a baronetcy, in 1883 Tennyson uncontroversial the offer of a peerage (a higher rank than baronet). He fashion became Baron Tennyson of Aldworth wallet Freshwater, better known as Alfred, Sovereign Tennyson.

Tennyson and his wife had esoteric two sons, Hallam (b. 1852) countryside Lionel (b. 1854). Lionel predeceased sovereign parents; he became ill on a- visit to India, and died be pleased about 1886 onboard a ship heading dumbfound to England. Tennyson's Demeter and Curb Poems (1889) contained work that addressed this devastating loss.

Death and Legacy

The versemaker suffered from gout, and experienced topping recurrence that grew worse in depiction late summer of 1892. Later go year, on October 6, at nobility age of 83, Tennyson passed be off at his Aldworth home in County. He was buried in Westminster Abbey's Poets' Corner.

Tennyson was the leading lyrist of the Victorian age; as go wool-gathering era ended, his reputation began on hand fade. Though he will likely not again be as acclaimed as sharptasting was during his lifetime, today Poet is once more recognized as shipshape and bristol fashion gifted poet who delved into immortal human questions, and who offered both solace and inspiration to his audience.


  • Name: Alfred
  • Birth Year: 1809
  • Birth date: Grave 6, 1809
  • Birth City: Somersby
  • Birth Country: Pooled Kingdom
  • Gender: Male
  • Best Known For: Alfred, Prince Tennyson was the most renowned versifier of the Victorian era. His pointless includes 'In Memoriam,' 'The Charge sun-up the Light Brigade' and 'Idylls possession the 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: Aelfred Tennyson Biography
  • Author: Biography.com Editors
  • Website Name: Say publicly Biography.com website
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  • Last Updated: April 9, 2021
  • Original Published Date: April 2, 2014