Alfred, Lord Tennyson, was a Victorian-era writer who resided in the country of England. He was born 4th in the line of 12 to his father, clergyman George Clayton Tennyson. His father, who detested his lively hood, slandered the family name with his ways. His family struggled through many things. Epilepsy ran in the family. All of his siblings suffered with the disease and it put a heavy strain on Alfred’s childhood.
Alfred would write to escape the chaos that was his life. As a young child he would make up stories, allowing his mind to wander as he walked about. He published his first book of poems just before his 18th birthday which also had works by two of his brothers. Although few copies sold, the fact that any sold at all would be the defining fact in locking Alfred’s passion into place.
Alfred attended Trinity College in Cambridge where he quickly became among the popular group of boys. Due to this, he started to write. His friends who surrounded him gave him the motivation and drive to do so and so he owes credit to them for such actions. He wrote his poem “Timbuctoo” and won the chancellor’s prize in 1829.
His father died in 1831, causing him to put a pause on his education. Many told him to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the clergy, but he denied them all. He continued to publish works and finally in 1850 with “In Memoriam” did he hit a high. The poem recounted the feelings Tennyson had for his best friend, Hallam, who was a lover of his sister and a family friend and who had died back in 1833.
This poem led him to become close friends with none other then Queen Victoria who found comfort in the book. He would enjoy his fame for years before retiring to Aldworth for privacy and some calm. Tennyson would die October 6, 1892, due to a horrible grout infection. However, his poetry continued to thrive, even with its writer now gone.
“Alfred Tennyson.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 4 Oct. 2019, http://www.biography.com/writer/alfred-tennyson
“Alfred, Lord Tennyson.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation, http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/alfred-tennyson.
Thomas/Popperfoto, Bob. “Colour Illustration, Literature, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, English Poet.” Getty Images, http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/colour-illustration-literature-alfred-lord-tennyson-english-news-photo/79035928.
