Emily Dickinson’s Biography and Bibliography
Emily Dickinson was one of the most influential American poets of the 19th century. She is renowned for her unique poetic style which often incorporated elements of nature, spiritual themes, and a range of imagery. Her works have spawned numerous interpretations and adaptations in literature and art, making her one of the most widely-read authors of all time.
Emily Dickinson’s Biography
Emily Dickinson was an American poet of the 19th century. Born on December 10, 1830, in Amherst, Massachusetts, Emily was the second of three children born to Emily Norcross and Edward Dickinson. Emily’s early life was uneventful and she spent much of her time studying at home with her father’s extensive library, reading books on literary classics such as Shakespeare, Milton, and Wordsworth. Emily attended Mount Holyoke Female Seminary from 1847-1848 but left after just one year due to what some believe was homesickness and a reluctance to conform to the school’s strict religious practices.
Emily’s poetry often features themes of nature, mortality and immortality; she is particularly known for her use of slant rhyme as well as unconventional capitalization and punctuation which can often be interpreted symbolically throughout much of Emily’s work. She maintained a close correspondence with friends throughout her life but rarely revealed anything personal about herself in her letters or writings. Emily suffered from poor health in the last few years before passing away due to Bright’s disease at age 55 on May 15th 1886 at their family home in Amherst Massachusetts.
Emily Dickinson had a passion for writing from a young age, publishing her first works of poetry at a tender age. Emily continued to write poems throughout her adulthood and it is estimated that Emily wrote over 1,800 poems during her lifetime with only 7 being published during Emily’s lifetime. Emily Dickinson’s work although not widely read or known about during Emily’s life began gaining notoriety shortly after her death with Emily’s sister Lavinia discovering Emily’s body of work shortly after Emily’s passing; many of Emily’s most famous works such as “I’m Nobody! Who are you?” and “Hope Is The Thing With Feathers” were published after Emily’s death. Emily Dickinson’s work is now considered to be some of the finest examples of American poetry with Emily Dickinson being one of the most respected poets in American literature. Emily lived out much of her life in Amherst, Massachusetts where she was born and died, spending the bulk of her adult
In Emily’s later years, she became increasingly reclusive, rarely leaving her home for social engagements or even for leisurely activities or travel outside Amherst. Emily also had a strong relationship with her family during this time; Emily spent much time with her parents and siblings and corresponded often with her cousins. Emily was also a prolific letter writer, where she would often send her poems to friends and family members.
Emily Dickinson’s literary works include over 1,800 poems that were primarily composed between the years 1858 and 1865. Emily did not publish much during her lifetime, but after Emily’s death in 1886, Emily’s sister Lavinia discovered Emily’s manuscripts and collected them into fascicles (booklets). Emily’s first publication came out in 1890 with a collection of her work titled Poems by Emily Dickinson. Throughout the 20th century, Emily’s work gained an increasing appreciation for its insight into human existence and its exploration of themes such as love, nature, death and eternity. Emily Dickinson’s biography has since become an iconic part of American literature, inspiring generations to come. Emily Dickinson is widely regarded as one of America’s most beloved poets, and her works continue to be studied today. Emily was born in Amherst, Massachusetts on December 10th 1830, the youngest of three children. Emily attended Mount Holyoke Female Seminary (now known as Mount Holyoke College) but left without graduating. Emily returned home to live with her family and did not travel much; she spent the majority of her life in the Amherst area until her death at the age of 55. Emily had close relationships with many people including men and women who she wrote letters to throughout her life —some of which are preserved today— though Emily rarely left the Amherst area. Emily was known for her reclusive lifestyle and often wrote about her inner thoughts, emotions, and observations of nature in her poems. Emily’s works were largely unrecognized during her lifetime, but they continued to be discovered after her death in 1886. Emily Dickinson’s work has since been widely celebrated and is a significant part of American literature today. Her writing style is characterized by metaphor, imagery, compression, sound patterns, irony and wit which all contribute to Emily’s unique poetic voice and vision. Emily Dickinson remains one of America’s most beloved poets for these reasons as well as for the insight she offers into the human condition through her poetry. Emily’s work continues to be read and studied by scholars around the world, giving Emily Dickinson an enduring and timeless legacy. Emily Dickinson is renowned for her contribution to American literature and remains one of the most beloved poets of all time. Her work has inspired generations of readers with its unique voice, vivid imagery, wit, irony, compression and sound patterns.
Emily’s works were largely unrecognized during her lifetime but they continued to be discovered after her death in 1886. Emily Dickinson’s writing style continues to influence many writers today who strive to capture the brilliance of Emily’s poetry in their own work. Emily’s work remains a significant part of American literature and her insight into the human condition through her poetry will live on for years to come. Emily Dickinson’s biography is a compilation of her life, works and legacy. Emily was born in Amherst, Massachusetts on December 10, 1830. She was the second child of Emily Norcross Dickinson and Edward Dickinson. Emily had one older brother named Austin who she remained close to throughout her life. Emily started writing poems at the age of 11 and during her teenage years wrote more than 40 known poems. Emily studied at Amherst Academy between 1841-1847 but left after graduating without pursuing higher learning as traditional for women at that period. Emily took up odd jobs to support herself before finally settling into a lifestyle of writing poetry and corresponding with friends in 1850. Emily was a very private person who rarely ventured out from her home except to visit her family members or buy supplies needed for poetry writing. Emily was a recluse and rarely engaged in any kind of public activity. Emily published only 11 poems during her lifetime but left behind more than 1800 unpublished works that were discovered after her death at age 55 due to Bright’s Disease. Emily Dickinson is considered one of America’s most important poets and has left an indelible mark on American literature. Emily is remembered for her unique use of language, punctuation, rhyme scheme, and meter as well as her exploration of themes such as mortality, identity, love, nature and spirituality. Emily Dickinson is the epitome of a genius whose powerful words will forever be treasured by generations to come.
References:
– Emily Dickinson Museum. (n.d.). Emily Dickinson’s Biography | Emily Dickinson Museum. Retrieved June 11, 2021, from https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/biography
– Poetry Foundation. (2020). Emily Dickinson | Poetry Foundation. Retrieved June 11, 2021, from https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/emily-dickinson
Emily Dickinson Bibliography
Emily Dickinson is one of the most renowned and celebrated American poets of the 19th century. With her unique style and innovative use of language, she left behind an impressive body of work that continues to inspire writers and readers alike. To help us gain a better understanding of Emily Dickinson’s life and work, here is a comprehensive bibliography of all her published works:
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1. Emily Dickinson’s Bibliography, Links and Information
Primary Sources
The Poems of Emily Dickinson. Edited by Thomas H. Johnson (1955), R. W. Franklin (1998), Christopher Benfey (2011). Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA.
The Letters of Emily Dickinson. Edited by Thomas H Johnson & Theodora Ward (1958). Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA.
Fascicle 16/17: Unpublished Poems: A Facsimile Edition.. Edited by Marta Werner & Ellen Louise Hart (2013). Harvard University Press, Cambridge MA.
Secondary Sources
My Wars Are Laid Away in Books: The Life of Emily Dickinson by Alfred Habegger (2001). Random House, New York NY
Lives Like Loaded Guns: Emily Dickinson and Her Family’s Feudsby Lyndall Gordon (2010). Penguin Books, New York NY
Emily Dickinson’s Poetry: Facing Infinity by Earl Nelson Jr.(2015). Bloomsbury Academic Publishers, London UK
A Historical Guide to Emily Dickenson edited by Vivian R Pollak(2002). Oxford University Press, New York NY
Dickinson in Context edited by Suzanne Juhasz & Martha Nell Smith(2018). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge UK
Emily Dickinson’s bibliography consists of a wide range of works, from poems to letters and manuscripts. In 1890, her first posthumous collection was published entitled “Poems By Emily Dickenson” which included 790 pieces selected by her sister Lavinia. Since then multiple other collections have been released including several single-volume editions and more recently The Poems Of Emily Dickinson: Variorum Edition (1998) which includes emendations to previously printed works. Her complete works encompass over 1,800 individual poems as well as hundreds of letters and manuscripts. Many of these items are housed in the archives at Amherst College, Harvard University, Houghton Library at Harvard University, and the Morgan Library & Museum in New York City. The Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, Massachusetts is also a valuable resource and includes interactive displays that allow visitors to explore her life and works. As emily dickinson bibliography continues to evolve, scholars and admirers of emily dickinson’s work have access to an ever-growing selection of publications dedicated to her life and literature. In addition, Emily Dickinson’s work has been translated into numerous languages, from French to Chinese, ensuring that her words continue to be appreciated by readers around the world. Emily Dickinson’s work continues to inspire and fascinate readers, making Emily Dickinson’s bibliography an essential source for all those interested in her life and literature.
Emily Dickinson’s influence extends far beyond her lifetime, and the emily dickinson bibliography is an invaluable resource for scholars looking to explore her works. It provides access to critical works examining Emily Dickinson’s life and work in both formal academic studies as well as more informal pieces of writing, such as essays, interviews, and reviews. The emily dickinson bibliography also includes references to Emily Dickinson-related events held throughout the years, such as lectures, conferences, performances, and other exhibitions.
The Emily Dickinson Bibliography also features critical essays about her works written by esteemed scholars in the field of American literature. These articles offer invaluable analysis about Dickinson’s poetry and short fiction. Furthermore, this comprehensive resource has an extensive list of references for further study.
The Emily Dickinson Bibliography is an indispensable resource for scholars and students studying the life and works of this beloved American poet. With its comprehensive annotations, critical essays, and reliable references, readers can gain a deeper understanding of her works than ever before. It is truly a must-have for anyone interested in learning more about Emily Dickinson’s timeless poetry.
