Interesting Facts About Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson was one of the most influential poets of the 19th century. She is remembered for her unique style and powerful writing that inspired many generations of readers. She is also known for her reclusive nature and her mysterious life. Here are some interesting facts about Emily Dickinson that you may not have known.

Early Life

Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, on December 10, 1830. She was the second of six children born to Edward and Emily Norcross Dickinson. She was educated at Amherst Academy, where she excelled in Latin, English, and Classical studies. She attended Mount Holyoke Female Seminary for one year, before returning home to Amherst to care for her ailing mother.

Writing and Poetry

Emily Dickinson wrote nearly 1800 poems during her lifetime, all of which were published posthumously. She was known for her unique style of writing, which often featured dashes and unorthodox punctuation. She also wrote many letters to family and friends, which often contained some of her most famous quotes. Her poetry was heavily influenced by her religious upbringing and her love of nature.

Death and Legacy

Emily Dickinson died on May 15, 1886, at the age of 55. She was buried in Amherst Cemetery, where she is remembered as one of the most influential and beloved poets of the 19th century. Her legacy lives on in her inspiring and thought-provoking poems, which continue to be read and studied in classrooms around the world.

30 Interesting Facts About Emily Dickinson

1. Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, on December 10, 1830.
2. She was the second of six children born to Edward and Emily Norcross Dickinson.
3. She was educated at Amherst Academy, where she excelled in Latin, English, and Classical studies.
4. She attended Mount Holyoke Female Seminary for one year.
5. She wrote nearly 1800 poems during her lifetime.
6. She was known for her unique style of writing, which often featured dashes and unorthodox punctuation.
7. Her poetry was heavily influenced by her religious upbringing and her love of nature.
8. She wrote many letters to family and friends, which often contained some of her most famous quotes.
9. She never married and lived a reclusive life at her family home in Amherst.
10. She kept her poetry a secret and only shared them with close friends and family members.
11. Her first published poem was in the Springfield Daily Republican on May 4, 1858.
12. Her most famous poem is “Because I Could Not Stop for Death”.
13. She was an avid reader and was known to keep up with current events.
14. She was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Amherst.
15. She was a great admirer of Ralph Waldo Emerson and his works.
16. She was a close friend of Thomas Wentworth Higginson and the two often exchanged letters.
17. She was a vegetarian and a proponent of animal rights.
18. She was known for her wit and sense of humor.
19. She was a great admirer of the works of Shakespeare.
20. She was a passionate gardener and often wrote about her love of nature.
21. She was a great believer in the power of imagination.
22. She was an admirer of the works of John Keats.
23. She often wrote about death and mortality.
24. She was an advocate for women’s rights.
25. She was a great admirer of the works of Emily Brontë.
26. She was a passionate collector of books.
27. She was a great admirer of the works of Walt Whitman.
28. She was a great admirer of the works of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
29. She was a great admirer of the works of George Eliot.
30. She died on May 15, 1886, at the age of 55.

Conclusion

Emily Dickinson is remembered as one of the most influential poets of the 19th century. Her unique style of writing and powerful words have inspired generations of readers. Her life was full of mystery and her reclusive nature only added to her mystique. These 30 interesting facts about Emily Dickinson offer a glimpse into her fascinating life and legacy.