A Riveting and brilliant work of biography. The story of two great English poets, Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning, whose work was immediately recognized and adored by their contemporaries, whose courtship ranks with the great love stories of all time -- and in whose marriage romance was not merely sustained but intensified. We enter their story through the sealed Victorian world of the Barretts of Wimpole Street: Elizabeth, at thirty-nine, a poet of international fame, a child prodigy who had grown to be a middle-aged spinster, a woman for whom romantic love seemed not to be possible, confined by illness, morphine, and the tyranny of her father, scion of rich Jamaican slaveholders, rum and sugar traders. It is to this fortress that Robert Browning, already an admired young poet and playwright, already a devotee of Elizabeth's, lays siege. ("I love your verses," he had written Elizabeth in his first letter to her, long before they met. "I love your verses with all my heart -- and I love you too.") And miraculously Elizabeth let life in. Julia Markus chronicles their extraordinary courtship, their marriage in secret (Browning to Elizabeth: "How you have dared and done all this ... for my only sake?"), and their radiant honeymoon in Italy. Markus shows us how the political events of the times inspired the great dramatic monologues of Robert's middle years and how Italy's stormy reunification inspired Elizabeth's later work. We come to see Elizabeth as an artist with a fierce and final confidence in poetry and its effect on the poets' lives. We see husband and wife celebrate the birth of their son, Robert Wiedemann "Pen" Barrett Browning (Browning to her sisters: "I sate by [Elizabeth] as much as I was allowed, and I shall never forget what I saw, tho' I cannot speak about it"). We see them among their artist/writer friends: in London with Tennyson, Thackeray, Rossetti, and others; in Rome with William Story, the American lawyer, poet, sculptor; with Harriet Hosmer, the stonecutter, who was one of the models for Aurora Leigh; with Charlotte Cushman, the American actress, who held readings of Elizabeth's novel in verse. We see Elizabeth in Paris meeting her heroine George Sand, whose society of socialists and theatrical types Robert described as "ragged Red." We come to understand Elizabeth's dependence on the ever-present drug in her life ("I should not be alive except by help of my morphine") and her constant battle with depression. And we see Elizabeth, encouraged by a woman with whom she was infatuated, move from interest to obsession with spiritualism, a cause that became the only source of serious dissension between the Brownings. We follow the course of their rich marriage, from the beginning when each saw the other as a brilliant poet, a compassionate and strangely similar heart, through the years in which they discovered each other's differences, each remaining a complex and thrilling human being to the other. To tell their story, Markus for the first time makes use of much of Elizabeth's unpublished correspondence, amid a wealth of other documents. She delves fully into the Brownings' Creole background and shows how it affected their lives and their work (Elizabeth was the first of the Jamaican Barretts to be born in England in many generations). Brilliantly interweaving the Brownings' own words with her authentic and perceptive narrative, Julia Markus brings these two great poets -- their marriage, their work, their times -- alive as never before.

One of the leading poets of the nineteenth century, Elizabeth Barrett Browning had a profound influence on her contemporaries and on writers that followed her. This edition provides a rich and varied selection of Barrett Browning’s poetry, including relatively neglected material from her early career and works never before included in editions of her poetry. The edition is comprehensively annotated and includes a critical introduction; detailed headnotes for each poem also provide the reader with a deep understanding of the historical, biographical, and literary contexts in which the poems were written. The extensive appendices include reviews and criticism and material on factory reform and slavery, as well as religion and the Italian Question.

The year 1845 finds the Moulton Barrett family of London tight in the grip of a tyrannical father. His invalid daughter Elizabeth is gaining a brilliant reputation as a writer. Her verses reach Robert Browning who falls in love with her before they have ever met. Browning sweeps into Elizabeth's life with the invigorating force of a sea breeze and her father senses that his absolute authority is in danger. Tension mounts as Edward Moulton Barrett and Robert Browning engage in a struggle for Elizabeth's life and happiness. A big hit in London's West End.10 women, 30 men

The love letters of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett are among the most famous in literary history: intimate and sensitive, they illuminate both the writers' lives and their creative aims and methods. Daniel Karlin's selection, which complements his widely acclaimed The Courtship ofRobert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett, is based on a fresh examination of the manuscripts and allows the reader to follow the story in all its scope and richness, from the beginning of their clandestine correspondence to their elopement in 1846.

This collection of 35 of the most moving, interesting, sometimes controversial, always entertaining love letters ever written includes complete biographies, plus portraits or photographs of the writers and their recipients, dating as far back as the first century A.D. 400 illustrations.

The Love Letters of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Barrett serve as a monumental collection, bridging the personal romance of two towering figures in Victorian literature with the broader cultural and poetic movements of their time. The anthology offers an unparalleled look into the intimate correspondences shared between the couple, presenting a varied landscape of emotional depth, literary prowess, and philosophical musings. Each letter stands as a testament to the deep connection and mutual influence they shared, offering insights into the themes of love, creativity, and the societal constraints of their era. The contributors, Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, embody the epitome of Victorian Romanticism and its complexities. Their backgrounds - one, a daring poet known for his dramatic monologues and sharp social criticisms, the other, a pioneering female voice battling illness and societal expectations - provide a fascinating duality that enriches the letters' context. Through their exchange, the collection captures the essence of a pivotal literary period, weaving personal struggle, love, and artistic ambition into a rich tapestry that highlights the interconnectedness of personal experiences with broader cultural currents. For enthusiasts of literary history, Victorian poetry, or timeless love stories, this collection offers a unique window into the hearts and minds of two seminal figures. It invites readers to explore the nuances of love and creativity, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the intricate relationship between life and art. This anthology not only serves as an educational resource but also as a source of inspiration, illustrating the enduring power of written words to connect, challenge, and illuminate.

The 'Love Letters of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Barrett' anthology offers an unprecedented glimpse into the private world of two of Victorian England's most celebrated poets, mapping the confluence of their personal and literary lives. This collection showcases a range of epistolary styles that vividly encapsulate the intense, yet refined emotional landscape of the 19th century, presenting readers with a rare opportunity to observe the evolution of love and companionship against a backdrop of significant literary innovation. The letters stand out for their authenticity and depth, offering insights into the culture and societal expectations of their time, as well as the personal musings and poetic imaginations of the correspondents. The backgrounds of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Barrett, each a towering figure in the Victorian literary scene, enrich the collection's significance. Their correspondence not only navigates through the personal and poetic but also mirrors the broader literary and cultural movements of their era, such as Romanticisms shift towards Victorian ideals. Together, their letters form a tapestry that interweaves diverse narrative threads from social commentary to deeply introspective reflections. This anthology is recommended for readers eager to explore the intricate dynamics of one of literature's most renowned relationships. Beyond its historical and literary value, the collection offers a multitude of perspectives on love, resilience, and artistic inspiration. Delving into these letters promises not just a deeper understanding of Browning and Barrett's literary genius but also a profound exploration of the universal themes of love and partnership that continue to resonate with audiences today.