Alfred Lord Tennyson was a renowned English poet who is considered one of the greatest poets in the English language. Born on August 6, 1809, in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England, Tennyson was the fourth of twelve children of George Clayton Tennyson and Elizabeth Fytche. He was educated at home by his mother and later attended Louth Grammar School, where he began writing poetry.
Tennyson's poetry was characterized by its lyricism, sensitivity, and emotional depth. He was a master of the sonnet form and his work was often inspired by nature, love, and the human condition. Some of his most famous works include "The Charge of the Light Brigade," "The Lady of Shalott," "Ulysses," and "In Memoriam A.H.H."
One interesting fact about Tennyson is that he was appointed Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom in 1850, a position he held until his death in 1892. As Poet Laureate, Tennyson was responsible for writing poems for special occasions, such as the coronation of Queen Victoria. He also wrote several poems in honor of the fallen soldiers during the Crimean War, including "The Charge of the Light Brigade," which became one of his most famous works.
Another interesting fact about Tennyson is that he had a close relationship with the British royal family. He was a close friend of Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, and wrote several poems in honor of the prince. He also wrote a poem in honor of the queen's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, which celebrated her sixty years on the throne.
In addition to his poetry, Tennyson was also known for his philanthropy. He was a strong supporter of education and donated generously to various educational institutions, including Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
Despite his success as a poet, Tennyson struggled with mental health issues throughout his life. He suffered from depression and anxiety and sought treatment for his mental health struggles. However, he continued to write and publish poetry until his death in 1892 at the age of 83.
Today, Alfred Lord Tennyson is remembered as one of the greatest poets in the English language and his works continue to be studied and admired by readers all over the world.
10 Interesting Facts about Alfred Lord Tennyson
His work, much like Shakespeare, created various phrases still used today, such as "'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" from "In Memoriam A. Lord Tennyson tries to explain that those who go along with this beautiful feeling win way more than what they lose after they fail. He was a man who mastered music, painting, poetry and architecture. The eldest son, Hallam Tennyson, named after his very dear departed friend went on to become the 2nd Baron Tennyson and penned 'Tennyson: a Memoir. In 1827, Alfred Tennyson enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge, where his two elder brothers were already studying. The following short biography and fact sheet provides interesting facts about the life, times and history of Alfred Tennyson.
Alfred Lord Tennyson Biography, Life, Interesting Facts
During his time there, Arthur Hallam was committed to Emily Tennyson, Tennyson's sister, and would have married Emily Tennyson if he had not died in 1833. The same year as that poem was published, Tennyson would be made Poet Laureate — a post he would hold for a record 42 years. Unfortunately, Tennyson had to leave Cambridge without collecting his degree in 1831 due to the death of his father. Emily Sellwood he had known since they were children. It was an imitation of Elizabethan comic verse. He put the money he had inherited in a woodworking machinery project in 1840, and by 1843, Tennyson lost whatever tiny inheritance he had. Alfred Tennyson died on October 6, 1892, in Haslemere, England.
It’s better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.
Later, Tennyson found out that he did not have epilepsy and also found himself in a more secure financial position. The Ancient and Noble Family of the Savages of the Ards, with Sketches of English and American Branches of the House of Savage: Comp. He was appointed Poet Laureate, a position he would hold for a large part of his life, as well as that of the reign of Queen Victoria, who it would be that insisted he accept a baronetcy that he had previously refused. By the time Tennyson escaped home in 1827 to attend Trinity College, he had witnessed his brothers and father constantly fighting. Tennyson was the fourth of twelve children and did not have a happy home life. The downs where he used to wander, beard flying, are now known as the Tennyson Down and there is a memorial there to the great man. He was offered peerage in both 1865 and 1868, but declined both times.