Alfred Tennyson
Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson, was one of the most prominent poets of the Victorian Era in England. Here are some key points about his life and work:
- Birth and Early Life: Born on August 6, 1809, in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England, Tennyson was the fourth of twelve children. His father, George Clayton Tennyson, was an Anglican clergyman who also tutored his sons in classical and contemporary literature.
- Education: Tennyson was educated at Louth Grammar School and later at Trinity College, Cambridge. However, he left Cambridge without taking a degree.
- Early Career: His first publication was a collection of poems with his two elder brothers in 1827. In 1830, he published "Poems, Chiefly Lyrical," which did not gain much attention. However, his 1842 collection, "Poems," was more successful and included well-known works like "Ulysses" and "Morte d'Arthur."
- Notable Works:
- In Memoriam A.H.H. - A tribute to his close friend Arthur Henry Hallam, published in 1850, which brought Tennyson widespread acclaim and led to his appointment as Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom.
- The Charge of the Light Brigade - Written in 1854, this poem commemorates the ill-fated Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War.
- Idylls of the King - A series of narrative poems based on King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
- Poet Laureate: Tennyson succeeded William Wordsworth as Poet Laureate in 1850, a position he held until his death.
- Later Life and Death: In 1883, he was raised to the peerage as Baron Tennyson of Aldworth and Freshwater, becoming the first poet to be so honored. He died on October 6, 1892, at Aldworth, Surrey, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.
- Legacy: Tennyson's work reflects the moral, intellectual, and spiritual concerns of the Victorian age. His poetic style, combining elements of Romanticism with Victorian sensibility, has influenced numerous poets and writers. His portrayal of nature, historical events, and personal loss through poetry has left a lasting impact on English literature.
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