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Classic Authors: Alfred, Lord Tennyson
© Susan Jensen
Jul 3, 2001
The brilliant Alfred Tennyson, one of the greatest English poets of all time, began life as an obscure boy in the household of a spurned son. He was born on August 6, 1809, at Somersby, Lincolnshire, to George and Elizabeth (Fytche) Tennyson. Although George, as the eldest son, stood to inherit his father’s fortune, a quarrel had caused a rift between them, and the money went to George’s younger brother, Charles. As a result, George entered the ministry, destining his family to a life of poverty. His financial difficulties increased as he and his wife brought twelve children into the world. To make matters worse, the Tennyson men struggled with a mild form of epilepsy, which repeatedly brought on violence, abuse and mental illness. Young Alfred thus grew up with a crippling fear of both poverty and insanity.
Although his early years seemed turbulent, Alfred blossomed under the care of a sweet and imaginative mother. He discovered his love of poetry early in life; by the age of 14, he had written most of a blank verse play. He received his early education at home and at Louth Grammar School. In 1827, he followed his two older brothers to Trinity College, Cambridge. There, the brothers became known for their poetry, especially after the publication of Poems by Two Brothers(1827). Although all three of the brothers contributed to the volume, Frederick, the oldest, did not want his name on the verses he considered humiliatingly bad. Despite Frederick’s doubt, the book earned Alfred and his other brother university prizes. It was also at Trinity that Alfred joined The Apostles, an undergraduate club which gathered to discuss philosophical and social issues. Here, Alfred met many influential and lifelong friends, including Arthur Hallam, whose untimely death would inspire Alfred to write In Memoriam(1850). In 1832, Alfred published Poems, a collection of verse which received very mixed reviews. The critics issued harsh reviews, which hurt him deeply. His disappointment kept him from writing for several years. During this time, Alfred also became worried about his mental health. He visited a sanitarium managed by Dr. Matthew Allen. Alfred invested his inheritance and other family money in the doctor’s scheme to mass produce wood carvings using steam power, a venture that quickly went bankrupt. With the loss of his funds, Alfred was forced to break off his engagement to the love of his life, Emily Sellwood. Ten years after the first version of Poems appeared, Alfred published another version, also entitled Poems(1842). This collection featured poems such as “Morte d’Arthur,” “Godiva,” “Talking Oak,” and “Locksley Hall.” The book became very popular, establishing Alfred Tennyson as a talented poet.
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The copyright of the article Classic Authors: Alfred, Lord Tennyson in Classic Literature is owned by Susan Jensen. Permission to republish Classic Authors: Alfred, Lord Tennyson in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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