Public Figure Profiles

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (née Moulton-Barrett; ; 6 March 1806 – 29 June 1861) was an English poet of the Victorian era, popular in Britain and the United States during her lifetime.

Born in County Durham, the eldest of 12 children, Elizabeth Barrett wrote poetry from the age of eleven. Her mother's collection of her poems forms one of the largest extant collections of juvenilia by any English writer. At 15, she became ill, suffering intense head and spinal pain for the rest of her life. Later in life, she also developed lung problems, possibly tuberculosis. She took laudanum for the pain from an early age, which is likely to have contributed to her frail health.

In the 1840s, Elizabeth was introduced to literary society through her cousin John Kenyon. Her first adult collection of poems was published in 1838, and she wrote prolifically between 1841 and 1844, producing poetry, translation, and prose. She campaigned for the abolition of slavery, and her work helped influence reform in the child labour legislation. Her prolific output made her a rival to Tennyson as a candidate for poet laureate on the death of Wordsworth.

Elizabeth's volume Poems (1844) brought her great success, attracting the admiration of the writer Robert Browning. Their correspondence, courtship, and marriage were carried out in secret, for fear of her father's disapproval. Following the wedding, she was indeed disinherited by her father. In 1846, the couple moved to Italy, where she would live for the rest of her life. They had a son, known as "Pen" (Robert Wiedeman Barrett Browning) (1849–1912). Pen devoted himself to painting until his eyesight began to fail later in life; he also built up a large collection of manuscripts and memorabilia of his parents; however, since he died intestate, it was sold by public auction to various bidders, and scattered upon his death. The Armstrong Browning Library has tried to recover some of his collection, and now houses the world's largest collection of Browning memorabilia. Elizabeth died in Florence in 1861. A collection of her last poems was published by her husband shortly after her death.

Elizabeth's work had a major influence on prominent writers of the day, including the American poets Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson. She is remembered for such poems as "How Do I Love Thee?" (Sonnet 43, 1845) and Aurora Leigh (1856).

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Some of their strengths

Elizabeth Barrett Browning has many admirable traits.

Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Intelligent, Intuitive, Imaginative, Diplomatic, Passionate, Curious, and Generous.

Soulful and Understanding

According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Elizabeth Barrett Browning is someone who is a soulful, understanding, and conscious person, who combines smarts with a deep talent for creativity and imagination. A person who is known for being a good partner.

Soulful and Intuitive

Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Elizabeth Barrett Browning well know them as someone who can be graceful, romantic, and reserved, like gentle rain.

Methodical and Exacting

According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Elizabeth Barrett Browning as someone who is careful, methodical, and a perfectionist.

A person who forms successful business partnerships, who appreciates the variety the world has to offer, who takes a frugal approach to life and tends to be a workaholic, and who engages in things that let them express their opinion.

Dynamic and Imaginative

Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Elizabeth Barrett Browning is someone who can bring a purifying element to situations, and who is a risk-taker with vision and imagination.

They are also someone who is active, giving, optimistic, and cheerful, and who possesses a charisma that attracts friends and admirers.

Creative and Imaginative

According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Elizabeth Barrett Browning tends to be someone who is sensitive, imaginative, creative, and somewhat of a dreamer. Who is intuitive and compassionate, and who has a friendly, easygoing, calming and relaxing effect on people and for whom friends and family mean the world.

Some of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's challenges

While Elizabeth Barrett Browning has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.

For example, Elizabeth Barrett Browning can be Emotional, Indecisive, Unrealistic, Hesitant, Narcissistic, Difficult, and Perfectionist.

Indecisive and Unrealistic

One of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's key challenges is that they are someone who can come across as indecisive and unrealistic.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive.

Sensitive and Critical

Elizabeth Barrett Browning is someone who can be insecure, critical, and pessimistic, who can have difficulty relaxing, can be possessive and jealous, and who can have difficulty listening to others' opinions and perspectives and make hasty decisions.

Lethargic and Unrealistic

Finally, Elizabeth Barrett Browning also can be too soft, lazy and lethargic, and who can have difficulty finding others who share a similarly dreamy outlook on life.

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