Robert Browning (7 May 1812 - 12 December 1889)
Robert Browning was born in England on May 7th 1812, in a London suburb, and was considered to be a Victorian Era poet as well as a playwright. Robert’s father was a highly paid clerk for the Bank of England and this allowed Browning to grow up with some of the finest educational opportunities available in his time. Furthermore, because his father was intellectually superior, he had amassed a library filled with well over 6,000 books in which Robert was able to entertain himself with some of the finest literature available.
All throughout his childhood, Robert Browning found a passion for both poetry as well as natural history. He had even managed to write his first book of poems by the time he had reached the age of twelve, but since no publishers would print the book written by a child, he would later destroy it.
His father had sent Robert to some of the finest private schools in London, but Browning did not like the concept of being taught in an institutional setting and he would finally be home tutored. Furthermore, Robert was an extremely fast learner and by the time he had reached the age of 14, he was able to read, write and speak fluently in Italian, Latin, Greek and French.
He fell in love with the concept of romantic poetry and also followed suit with one of his favourite poets and became not only an atheist but also a vegetarian. Soon he was able to attend the University College of London at the age of sixteen, but would leave the following year. Leading away from poetry for a while, Robert Browning showed a strong capability in his musical capacity and was able to compose several arrangements.
By 1846, Robert Browning had gotten engaged and secretly married Elizabeth Barret after which they moved to Pisa, Italy, before finally settling down in their Florence, Italian apartment that would become known as Casa Guidi.
Robert Browning’s most famous works were the two volume books of poetry entitled Men and Women which he would write in Florence in the family’s apartment style home. Upon his wife’s death in 1861, Mr. Browning would then return to London to join in on the literary scene there, which was just beginning to boom, thanks to the works of laureates like Lord Tennyson. Because of this move back to London, his career as a writer would begin to boom and by 1868 he was able to publish the book The Ring and the Book. This book was actually published in four sets starting in November of 1868 and ending in February of 1869. After just more than forty years of writing, Robert Browning was then able to achieve his standing amongst the greats of the Victorian Era writers
None of his future works gained as much of a following as The Ring and the Book, but he continued to write while traveling through Europe. Of the works that Robert Browning created during this part of his life, the most noteworthy Red Cotton Night-Cap Country as well as Fifine at the Fair.
By 1887, Robert had created another work of literature which was based in the form of a dialogue and entitled Parleying with Certain People of Importance In Their Day. In this work, he carried on in dialogue with various artists and philosophers, none of whom he had actually met. Unfortunately this book was not very well received for the simple fact that the Victorian Era readers just became baffled by the concept of the book. This pushed browning back into a life of short lyrics that were later compiled into the book Asolando.
Of the most ironic parts of any person’s life, Robert Browning was in the middle of purchasing a home in the community of Asolo which lies just outside of Venice, the day Mr. Browning died, the community council of Asolo approved the purchase of his home, as well as his final book, Asolando was published. The day Browning died was December 12th 1889 at his son’s home in Venice where he was staying until the home purchase was approved.
While in his time, much of his works were disregarded as being not understood, today it is these same monologues that have given him fame amongst the Victorian Era Poets. Much like any true artist though, fame is never achieved until after death.
Original Authors: Globel Team (Nick)
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 23/07/2008
