Robert Browning
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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