Emily Dickinson Biography

Emily Dickinson

Born: December 10, 1830
Died: May 15, 1886
Place of Birth: Amherst, Massachusetts

Major Notes:

Emily Dickinson was one of America's most prolific poets, writing over 1700 poems.
Unfortunately, she only had seven of her poems published in her lifetime.
She was one of three children brought up by a strict Christian-minded father.
Her father, a lawyer, was a very prominent figure, and at one time served in the House of Representatives.
Emily Dickinson's mother seemed reserved and did not give emotional support to the family
She did take a year of education at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary but not continue further education.
Dickinson could not accept some of the religious tenets of the school.
Instead she led a relatively secluded life living at home the rest of her life although she made a trip to Philadelphia, to Washington, and a few to Boston.
Two individuals had a marked influence on her poetry: Reverend Charles Wadsworth and Thomas Wentworth Higginson.
She met Wadsworth on her trip to Philadelphia and it is thought he became a romantic inspiration for many of her poems.
Dickinson sent some poems to Higginson for consideration and advice on publishing them.
He saw the poems had merit but advised against publishing them at the time.
Instead, Higginson became sort of a teacher to her in writing poetry.
Two time periods had significance on her poetry; the first was the Civil War broke out and the second, a time in which many of her relatives and friends had died.
She never married but was said to have several romantic suitors over her lifetime.
It was thought because of her seclusion, Emily Dickinson was able to focus narrowly on her poetry.
After her death in 1886, her sister Lavinia edited and brought out some of Dickinson's poetry in three volumes.
Later a niece, Martha Dickinson Bianchi, published more of her poems and, in 1955, Thomas H. Johnson, published a complete volume of Emily Dickinson's poems.
Today, because of her unique application of phrases and punctuation, Emily Dickinson is regarded as one of the most innovative poets in the world.

For detailed research and more information, check out any of the following: Gonzaga The Literature Network Erin's Emily Dickinson Page! Michael Myers (VCU) Page Wise American Poems

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Major Notes:

Emily Dickinson was one of America's most prolific poets, writing over 1700 poems.

Unfortunately, she only had seven of her poems published in her lifetime.

She was one of three children brought up by a strict Christian-minded father.

Her father, a lawyer, was a very prominent figure, and at one time served in the House of Representatives.

Emily Dickinson's mother seemed reserved and did not give emotional support to the family

She did take a year of education at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary but not continue further education.

Dickinson could not accept some of the religious tenets of the school.

Instead she led a relatively secluded life living at home the rest of her life although she made a trip to Philadelphia, to Washington, and a few to Boston.

Two individuals had a marked influence on her poetry: Reverend Charles Wadsworth and Thomas Wentworth Higginson.

She met Wadsworth on her trip to Philadelphia and it is thought he became a romantic inspiration for many of her poems.

Dickinson sent some poems to Higginson for consideration and advice on publishing them.

He saw the poems had merit but advised against publishing them at the time.

Instead, Higginson became sort of a teacher to her in writing poetry.

Two time periods had significance on her poetry; the first was the Civil War broke out and the second, a time in which many of her relatives and friends had died.

She never married but was said to have several romantic suitors over her lifetime.

It was thought because of her seclusion, Emily Dickinson was able to focus narrowly on her poetry.

After her death in 1886, her sister Lavinia edited and brought out some of Dickinson's poetry in three volumes.

Later a niece, Martha Dickinson Bianchi, published more of her poems and, in 1955, Thomas H. Johnson, published a complete volume of Emily Dickinson's poems.

Today, because of her unique application of phrases and punctuation, Emily Dickinson is regarded as one of the most innovative poets in the world.