Robert Browning

Thomas B. Read (American, 1822-1872) - Portraits of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning

Clasped Hands of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning MET DT8282

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Robert Browning after death

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Robert Browning caricature

Robert Browning, Vanity Fair, 1875-11-20

Robert Browning (7 May 1812 – 12 December 1889) was an influential English poet and playwright known for his mastery of dramatic monologue and psychological portraiture. His work is distinguished by its intellectual depth, character analysis, and the use of conversational language. Browning's career spans the Victorian era, making significant contributions to English poetry alongside his wife, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a renowned poet in her own right.

Early Life

Robert Browning was born in Camberwell, London, to Robert and Sarah Anna Browning. His father, a clerk for the Bank of England, was also an avid book collector, which allowed Browning access to a vast library. This early exposure to literature profoundly influenced his desire to write. Despite showing literary talent, Browning received little formal education. He attended the University of London but left to pursue learning at his own pace.

Career

Browning's early career was marked by experimentation. His first major work, Paracelsus (1835), was well-received for its intellectual ambition and complexity. However, his follow-up, Sordello (1840), was criticized for its obscurity. Despite this setback, Browning continued to refine his craft, focusing on dramatic monologues, a form he perfected. Works such as My Last Duchess and The Ring and the Book showcase his skill in creating vivid, complex characters through their own speech.

Browning's marriage to Elizabeth Barrett in 1846 was a significant event. The couple moved to Italy, where they lived until Elizabeth's death in 1861. This period was Browning's most productive, inspired by his love for Elizabeth and the Italian landscape. After returning to England, Browning's popularity grew, and he became a prominent figure in London's literary society.

Themes and Style

Browning's work is notable for its exploration of the human psyche, morality, and the nature of art. His use of dramatic monologue allows readers to engage directly with his characters, revealing their thoughts and motivations. Browning's style is characterized by its use of conversational language, though his work can be dense and allusive, requiring careful reading.

Legacy

Robert Browning's influence on English poetry is profound. His development of the dramatic monologue influenced many poets, including T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound. Browning's exploration of psychological and philosophical themes paved the way for modernist literature. Today, he is celebrated as one of the Victorian era's greatest poets.

Selected Works

• Paracelsus (1835)
• Sordello (1840)
• My Last Duchess (1842)
• The Ring and the Book (1868-1869)

See Also

• Victorian literature
• Dramatic monologue
• Elizabeth Barrett Browning