Hello,

Today we are going to be exploring the beautiful love letters of Elizabeth Barett Browning and Robert Browning.

Elizabeth Barett  Browning was a precocious child, reading novels at aged six, studying Greek at aged ten, and even writing her own Homeric epic, The Battle of Marathon, a Poem.”  Her father encouraged her poetry, and even help her publish some, though those poems were only meant for the family circle.

When she was fifteen, she was struck with a mysterious illness, that made her unable to walk for some time.  This left her confided in her room for most of her adolescent years. She continued writing poems, and her 1848 volume of poetry made her the most popular poet in the English country.

It was this volume of poetry that inspired Robert Browning to write to her. In one letter he wrote, “I love your verses with all my heart,” “praising her verses as having, ” fresh strange music, the affluent language, the exquisite pathos, and true new brave thought.”

After arrangements were made in May, 20 1845, Elizabeth and Robert began one of the most famous courtships in literature.  This courtship resulted in Elisabeth’s famous poem, “How do I Love Thee?”   And many letter show the frequency  of such passion sentiments were expressed between them. This is clearly evident in a line from Robert’s 1846 letter, “I would die for you, with triumphant happiness, God knows, at a signal from your hand.”  After several more months, the two were married, against the wishes of Elizabeth’s father.

All of Elizabeth’s and Robert’s letters are available for viewing though Baylor: The Browning letters, the web address is  digitalcollections.baylor.edu . So for all of you who are wanting to view these beautiful letters, this is the the place for you.

Happy reading, and I shall write again soon,

Alyssa