Britain Unlimited covers 250 Great British people and what made them famous

Who was Robert Browning? Poet. Date and Place of Birth: 7th May 1812, Camberwell, London, England. Family Background: Son of Robert Browning, a clerk in the Bank of England and Sarah Anna Wiedemann. Education: Peckham School. London University, which he left after half a session. His father taught him Latin and Greek. Chronology: 1833: He is widely influenced by the works of Shelley and publishes his first major poem in a Shellyian vain, "Pauline". 1834: Travels through Russia to St. Petersburg. 1837: First production of his play "Strafford". 1838: First visit to Italy. 1840: "Sordello" receives a panning from the critics. 1844: Second visit to Italy. 1845: His major work "Bells and Pomegranates" contained several pieces such as "Dramatic Romances and Lyrics" and "The Pied Piper of Hamelin". Begins a romance with the poet Elizabeth Barrett. 1846: Elopes with Elizabeth and they travel to Italy and live in Pisa. 1847: They finally settle in Florence at a house called "Case Guidi", after traveling the country. 1849: Publication of Browning's collected works so far. Birth of their son, Robert Wiedemann Barrett Browning (later to become a sculptor) and death of Browning's mother. 1855: Publication of "Men and Women" widely held to be his first masterpiece. 1861: (29th June) Death of his wife Elizabeth. 1862: Returns to London with his son. 1864: Publication of "Dramatis Personae" to popular acclaim. 1866: Death of his father. 1868: Publication of his third masterpiece "The Ring and The Book" in four volumes. 1879: "Publication of "Dramatic Idylls". 1881: Founding of the Browning Society in London. 1888: Publication of his "Poetical Works" in 16 volumes. Written Works: 1833: “Pauline”. 1835: “Paracelsus”. 1837: “Strafford”. 1840: “Sordello”. 1841: "Pippa Passes". "King Victor and King Charles." 1841-6: ”Bells and Pomegranates”. 1842: “Dramatic Lyrics”. 1843: “A Blot on the Scutcheon”. 1844: “Colombe's Birthday” 1845: “Dramatic Romances”. 1846: “Luria: A Soul's Tragedy”. 1850: “Christmas Eve and Easter Day”. 1855: “Men and Women”. 1864: “Dramatis Personae”. 1869: “The Ring and the Book”. 1871: "Balaustion's Adventure". "Prince Hohenstiel-Schwangau. 1872: “Fifine at the Fair”. 1873: “Red Cotton Night Cap Country”. 1874: “Aristophanes”. 1876: “Pacchiarotto”. 1877: “The Agamemnon of Aeschylus”. 1879: “Dramatic Idylls”. 1883: “Jocoseria”. 1884: “Ferishtah's Fancies”. 1887: “Parleyings with Certain People”. 1890: “Asolondo: Fancies and Facts”. (1896): “Collected Works”. Marriage: 1846: To Elizabeth Barrett. (Buried in Porta a Pinti "English Cemetery") Florence. Places of Interest: LONDON: British Library Date and Place of Death: 12th December 1889, Venice, Italy. Age at Death: 77. Site of Grave: Poet’s Corner, Westminster Abbey, London. Further Information: Browning Society c/o Ralph Ensz 4-68 Russell Court Woburn Place WC1H 0WC