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/Biography of Robert
Browning:
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.
The Market House, Ledbury, Herefordshire near where
Elizabeth Barrett was born
(© Anthony Blagg)
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.
Westminster Abbey, London
(© Anthony Blagg)
Further Information:
Browning Society
c/o Ralph Ensz
4-68 Russell Court
Woburn Place
WC1H 0WC
