Chronology

1805

  • 14 May Marriage of EBB’s parents, Edward Moulton-Barrett and Mary Graham-Clarke, at Gosforth Church, Northumberland, by the Rev. John Fenwick.

1806

  • 6 Mar EBB born at Coxhoe Hall, Co. Durham, which had been leased by her father.
  • 9 Mar EBB privately baptized by the Rev. William Lewis Rham, Rector of Fersfield, Norfolk, a family friend.
  • 28 May Edward Moulton-Barrett attained his majority.

1807

  • 26 Jun Edward Moulton-Barrett (“Bro”) born at Coxhoe Hall.

1808

  • 10 Feb EBB and Bro publicly baptized at Kelloe Church, Co. Durham.
  • ca. late autumn EBB’s father removes his family south to London.

1809

  • 4 Mar Henrietta Moulton-Barrett born at 10 Upper Berkeley Street, London.
  • ca. Apr EBB’s father took accommodations for his family at North End, Hammersmith.
  • Sep EBB with her family at Mickleham, Surrey, home of her grandmother, Elizabeth Moulton.
  • ca. Nov Hope End Estate, nr. Ledbury, Herefordshire acquired by EBB’s father. Mortgage held by James Scarlett—released ca. February 1814.

1810

  • Mar Arabella Graham-Clarke (grandmother) and Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt) visit Hope End.
  • ca. 15 Jul EBB’s first extant letter, to Elizabeth Moulton. The Barretts go to the sea a week later.
  • Sep Improvements at Hope End in progress: new mansion under construction from designs by Loudon; existing Georgian mansion converted into stables.
  • 16 Sep Mary Moulton-Barrett born at Hope End.
  • Oct Elizabeth Moulton and Mary Trepsack visit Hope End.
  • 13 Nov Henrietta and Mary publicly baptized at Colwall, nr. Hope End.

1811

  • 19 Feb Marriage of RB’s parents, RB, Sr. and Sarah Anna Wiedeman, in Camberwell, near London.
  • Mar The Barretts in Cheltenham with Elizabeth Moulton and Mary Trepsack.
  • Dec EBB’s family at 351 High Street, Cheltenham.

1812

  • 13 Jan Samuel Moulton-Barrett born at Cheltenham.
  • 30 Jan Frances Graham-Clarke marries Thomas Butler, afterwards 8th Baronet, of Cloughgrenan.
  • Apr The Barretts return to Hope End.
  • 7 May RB born at Southampton St., Camberwell.
  • 14 Jun RB baptized by the Rev. George Clayton, Parish of St. Giles, Camberwell.

1813

  • 4 Jul Arabella Moulton-Barrett born at Hope End.
  • 14 Aug Samuel and Arabella baptized at Colwall.

1814

  • Construction projects completed at Hope End.
  • 7 Jan Sarianna Browning, sister of RB, born at Camberwell.
  • Mar EBB writes poetical work, “On the Cruelty of Forcement to Man.”
  • 16 Mar Mary Moulton-Barrett, sister of EBB, dies. Buried in Ledbury Parish Church.
  • 10 Apr Sarianna baptized by the Rev. George Clayton, Parish of St. Giles, Camberwell.
  • Jun EBB at Carlton Hall, Yorkshire, seat of her Uncle Sam; excursion to Matlock, Derbyshire.
  • Jun–Sep EBB at Fenham Hall, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, home of her maternal grandparents.
  • 28 Dec Charles John Moulton-Barrett born at Hope End.

1815

  • 18 Jun Battle of Waterloo.
  • ca. Oct The Barretts go to 62 Baker St., London, Elizabeth Moulton’s residence.
  • 17 Oct EBB and parents leave London for Paris (Hotel de Rivoli) via Rochester, Dover, Calais and Boulogne.
  • 26 Nov The Barretts return to London.

1816

  • Jan The Barretts return to Hope End.
  • 15 Jul George Goodin Moulton-Barrett born at Hope End.
  • 28 Oct Charles John and George Goodin baptized by Rev. Hoskins, Colwall.

1817

  • Decoration and other improvements at Hope End completed.
  • ca. May EBB and family at Albion Place, Ramsgate. Daniel McSwiney and Madame Gordin engaged to tutor Barrett children. EBB commences work on The Battle of Marathon.
  • ca. Sep The Barretts, except for Arabella and her nurse Minny, return to Hope End.
  • Dec Graham-Clarke family members visit Hope End.

1818

  • 27 Jul Henry Moulton-Barrett born at Hope End.
  • 7 Aug John Graham-Clarke, EBB’s maternal grandfather, dies at Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
  • Sep EBB visits Cheltenham.

1819

  • 4 May EBB writes her “First Greek Ode.”
  • 24 May Princess Victoria born.
  • ca. Jun–Jul EBB and family visit Worthing, where Arabella and Minny had removed from Ramsgate in May.
  • 19 Jul Charles Moulton, EBB’s paternal grandfather, dies in Jamaica aged 61.
  • Dec Graham-Clarke family members visit Hope End.

1820

  • 29 Jan George III dies. George IV ascends the throne.
  • Mar EBB and family visit Elizabeth Moulton, 62 Baker Street, London. Arabella Graham-Clarke (grandmother) and Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt) also in London. When the Barretts return to Hope End, Bro remains with his grandmother, prior to entering Charterhouse in the ninth form.
  • 6 Mar Probably as a present for her 14th birthday, 50 copies of EBB’s first book, The Battle of Marathon, privately printed.
  • 10 Mar Samuel Moulton-Barrett, EBB’s uncle, elected to Parliament, representing Richmond, Yorkshire.
  • 20 May Alfred Price Moulton-Barrett born at Hope End.
  • Oct Arabella and Minny return to Hope End, after 3½ years’ absence.
  • Dec James Graham-Clarke, EBB’s uncle, visits Hope End.

1821

  • Apr EBB, Henrietta and Arabella ill. EBB’s sisters recover but she grows progressively worse.
  • May EBB first appears publicly as a poet when her “Stanzas, Excited by Some Reflections on the Present State of Greece,” are published in The New Monthly Magazine, Second Series, I, 523.
  • ca. Jun EBB and Henrietta contract measles.
  • Jun EBB sent to Spa Hotel, Gloucester, for medical treatment. At least one member of her family is with her throughout her stay.
  • Jul “Thoughts Awakened by Contemplating a Piece of the Palm Which Grows on the Summit of the Acropolis at Athens,” published in The New Monthly Magazine, Second Series, II, 59.
  • 18 Oct Jane Graham-Clarke, EBB’s aunt, marries Robert Hedley.

1822

  • Samuel Moulton-Barrett, EBB’s brother, enters Charterhouse in the twelfth form.
  • 11 Feb Septimus James Moulton-Barrett born at Hope End.
  • ca. May EBB returns to Hope End.
  • 13 Jun Charlotte Graham-Clarke marries the Rev. Richard Pierce Butler.
  • 19 Aug Henry, Alfred and Septimus baptized at Colwall.

1823

  • 20 Mar At Gloucester, Samuel Moulton-Barrett, EBB’s uncle, marries Mary Clementina, daughter of the late Rev. Henry Cay-Adams, of Painswick.
  • ca. Jun EBB and family settle in Boulogne for an extended stay.

1824

  • ca. Jan The Barretts return to England.
  • 11 Apr Octavius Butler Moulton-Barrett born at Hope End.
  • 13 Jun Samuel Barrett dies at Gloucester, leaving the Moulton-Barretts vulnerable to a claim by Richard Barrett (Sam’s brother and principal heir) involving ownership of slaves and stock. Later in the year, Richard Barrett’s lawsuit results in a ruling against the Moulton-Barretts. The slaves are formally delivered over to Richard Barrett as receiver. The Moulton-Barretts appeal the decision.
  • 30 Jun EBB’s “Stanzas on the Death of Lord Byron” are published in the London Globe and Traveller.
  • Jul–Aug EBB and Henrietta visit the Graham-Clarkes at 8 Cambray Street, Cheltenham.

1825

  • Jul EBB and Henrietta go to their paternal grandmother at Hastings, 1 Kentish Buildings, then 2 Paragon Place, for a stay of 11 months.
  • Jul–Aug Mary Moulton-Barrett visits her sisters in Ireland, accompanied by daughter Arabella.
  • Nov EBB’s unidentified lines on “Judah” apparently published in unidentified paper.
  • 19 Nov EBB’s “The Rose and Zephyr” published in The Literary Gazette, and Journal of the Belles Lettres.

1826

  • Edward Moulton-Barrett, EBB’s brother, leaves Charterhouse, having advanced to the third form.
  • RB leaves the school of Rev. Thomas Martin Ready at Peckham. His education at this establishment, probably for six years, was augmented by his father’s instructions. He was also tutored privately in French and Italian. He studied music under John Relfe, Musician-in-Ordinary to the King and a pupil of the Abbé Vogler. During this period RB is profoundly influenced by Shelley; this lasts for several years and leads to periods of atheism and vegetarianism.
  • 25 Mar EBB’s An Essay on Mind with Other Poems, underwritten by Mary Trepsack, published by James Duncan, London.
  • 6 May EBB’s “Irregular Stanzas” published in The Literary Gazette, and Journal of the Belles Lettres.
  • ca. Jun EBB and Henrietta leave Hastings and return to Hope End.
  • Oct EBB and Henrietta visit Foxley, seat of Uvedale Price.
  • Nov EBB spends several days at Eastnor Castle, neighbouring estate of Lord Somers.

1827

  • Jan EBB’s poem, commencing “Who art thou of the veilëd countenance,” published in The Jewish Expositor and Friend of Israel.
  • Feb EBB spends several days at Eastnor Castle. While there she receives her first letter from H.S. Boyd.
  • 31 May Sarah Flower transcribes in her letter to W.J. Fox two early poetical efforts of RB: “The first-born of Egypt” and “The Dance of Death” (see SD627).
  • Aug Arabella Graham-Clarke (grandmother) and Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt) visit Hope End for three weeks.
  • Nov Samuel Moulton-Barrett, EBB’s uncle, returns to Jamaica with his wife to attend to the family estates.
  • 10 Nov Arabella Graham-Clarke, EBB’s maternal grandmother, dies at Fenham Hall.

1828

  • Feb Samuel Moulton-Barrett resigns his seat in Parliament.
  • Mar Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt) and James Graham-Clarke visit Hope End. The latter stays only a few days.
  • ca. May Jamaican courts appoint Samuel Moulton-Barrett sole receiver of disputed property, to the exclusion of Richard Barrett.
  • Sep James Graham-Clarke returns to Hope End.
  • Oct RB enrolls at the newly-formed University of London to study Greek, Latin, and German. He takes lodgings with Mr. Hughes, Bedford Square, but leaves after a few days.
  • 7 Oct EBB’s mother dies at Cheltenham, where she had gone, 30 September, for medical treatment. Buried in the Parish Church, Ledbury.
  • ca. Dec Samuel Moulton-Barrett, EBB’s brother, leaves Charterhouse, having advanced to the sixth form.

1829

  • Apr English courts rule in favour of the Moulton-Barretts against Richard Barrett who appeals.
  • May RB withdraws from London University.
  • 19 Jun James Trant, EBB’s cousin, dies in London.
  • ca. 21 Jun EBB spends some days with Mrs. Trant at Malvern Wells.
  • ca. Jul–Aug EBB at Eastnor Castle for several days.
  • Oct Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt) leaves Hope End.

1830

  • Apr EBB composes “Lines to Miss Barrett,” in homage to her cousin Henriette Willoughby Barrett. Text unlocated.
  • 19 Apr Elizabeth Sterling, only child of Henry Barrett, and EBB’s cousin, dies in London.
  • May EBB spends several days at Great Malvern (Woodland Lodge).
  • 26 Jun George IV dies. William IV ascends the throne.
  • 20 Sep–7 Oct EBB is at Great Malvern (Woodland Lodge).
  • 29 Dec Elizabeth Moulton, EBB’s grandmother, dies in London.

1831

  • 1 Apr John Butler, EBB’s cousin, accidentally shot and killed by his brother Thomas.
  • 17 May Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt) arrives at Hope End to help care for her nieces and nephews.
  • 31 May EBB’s “Kings” published in The Times.
  • 3 Jun Mary Clementina Moulton-Barrett, EBB’s aunt, dies at age 27.
  • 4 Jun EBB commences a diary which records for the next 10 months her anxiety over the anticipated and eventual removal from Hope End.
  • 27 Jul Hope End sale notice appears in the Hereford Journal.
  • Aug EBB’s father suffers cholera attack in London.
  • 25 Aug Hope End estate offered for sale by auction at Garraway’s Coffee House, London. Withdrawn when bidding fell short of the reserve price.
  • 18–20 Oct EBB is at Malvern Wells (Ruby Cottage).
  • 8–14 Nov EBB is at Malvern Wells (Ruby Cottage).
  • 26–30 Nov EBB is at Eastnor Castle.

1832

  • 13 Jan EBB’s “The Pestilence” published in The Times.
  • 2–15 Feb EBB translates Æschylus’ Prometheus Bound.
  • ca. Jun Hope End Mansion and Deer Park sold by private treaty.
  • 7 Jun English Reform Act passed.
  • 23 Aug EBB and most of the Barretts leave Hope End and spend night in Bath.
  • 24 Aug EBB and family, including Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt), settle at Rafarel House (now 7 & 8 Fortfield Terrace), Sidmouth.
  • Sep Arabella Graham-Clarke (aunt) leaves Sidmouth.
  • 22 Sep EBB’s father, Bro and Septimus leave Hope End.
  • 22 Oct RB conceives the plan of writing a poem, an opera, and a novel under pen names, after leaving Edmund Kean’s performance of Richard III. This plan leads to the composition of Pauline.
  • Dec Boyd moves to Sidmouth.

1833

  • Mar RB’s Pauline: A Fragment of a Confession published anonymously by Saunders and Otley. Cost of publication and advertisement defrayed by a gift of £30 to the poet from his maternal aunt Christiana Silverthorne.
  • Mar RB’s first extant letter, March 1833, to William Johnson Fox.
  • ca. Apr EBB meets George Barrett Hunter.
  • 23 Apr EBB’s Uncle Sam marries Ann Eliza Gordon at Montego Bay, Jamaica.
  • 11 May EBB’s translation of Prometheus Bound published by A.J. Valpy, London.
  • 22 Jun Georgiana Elizabeth Barrett, daughter of George Goodin Barrett and Elizabeth Jane (née Turner), born at Milverton, Warwick.
  • Aug Parliament votes to abolish slavery.
  • Sep The Barretts remove to Belle Vue, Sidmouth.
  • 30 Oct RB reads the copy of Pauline annotated by John Stuart Mill, a harsh criticism of his morbid self-revelation, an event of a profoundly formative character; he thereafter resolves to write dramatically.
  • Nov Charles John and George Goodin Moulton-Barrett leave for Glasgow University.
  • 13 Nov Bro leaves London for Jamaica.
  • 11 Dec RB’s paternal grandfather, Robert Browning, dies.

1834

  • 1 Mar RB leaves London accompanying the Chevalier George de Benkhausen, Russian consul general, to St. Petersburg, (via Ostend, Rotterdam, Castle Ravenstein, Cleves, Aix-la-Chapelle).
  • May Boyd leaves Sidmouth.
  • ca. Jun RB returns to Camberwell.
  • Aug Charlotte Butler dies at Dieppe.
  • 1 Aug Slavery abolished in British colonies.
  • 1 Aug RB begins friendship with Count André Victor Amédée de Ripert-Monclar.
  • Oct RB’s sonnet “Eyes calm beside thee (Lady, couldst thou know!)” published in The Monthly Repository, signed “Z.”
  • Oct Monclar’s review, edited by RB, of Essai sur l’Origine de l’Ecriture, sur son introduction dans la Grèce, et son usage jusqu’au tems d’Homére published in The Metropolitan Magazine.
  • Dec EBB’s father has severe rheumatic attack in London.

1835

  • Feb RB’s letter to the Editor of The Trifler, signed “Z,” is published.
  • 1 May Charles John and George Goodin Moulton-Barrett leave Glasgow University, the latter taking a degree.
  • Jun The Barretts leave Belle Vue and return to Rafarel House.
  • 15 Aug RB’s Paracelsus published by Effingham Wilson. Cost of publication borne by RB, Sr.
  • Sep EBB’s “Stanzas Addressed to Miss Landon, and Suggested by Her ‘Stanzas on the Death of Mrs. Hemans’” published in The New Monthly Magazine.
  • ca. Oct Bro returns to England from Jamaica.
  • Nov RB’s “A king lived long ago” published in The Monthly Repository, signed “Z.”
  • 27 Nov RB and William Charles Macready meet at the home of W.J. Fox.
  • ca. 2 Dec EBB and family remove to 74 Gloucester Place, London.
  • 31 Dec RB is introduced to John Forster at the home of William Charles Macready.

1836

  • EBB’s brother Sam goes to Jamaica and Henry travels in Europe.
  • Jan RB’s “Porphyria” and “Johannes Agricola” published in The Monthly Repository, both signed “Z.”
  • 19 Mar EBB’s “Man and Nature” published in The Athenæum.
  • May RB’s lines beginning: “Still Ailing, Wind?” published in The Monthly Repository, signed “Z.”
  • 26 May Serjeant Thomas Noon Talfourd hosts supper to celebrate success of his play Ion; prominent guests include William Wordsworth, Walter Savage Landor, and Mary Russell Mitford; RB also present.
  • 27 May John Kenyon introduces EBB to Mary Russell Mitford.
  • 28 May At John Kenyon’s home, EBB is introduced to William Wordsworth and Walter Savage Landor; Mary Russell Mitford present.
  • Jul EBB’s “The Romaunt of Margret” published in The New Monthly Magazine.
  • 2 Jul EBB’s “The Seaside Walk” published in The Athenæum.
  • 23 Jul EBB’s “A Thought on Thoughts” published in The Athenæum.
  • Oct EBB’s “The Poet’s Vow” published in The New Monthly Magazine.

1837

  • RB visits Paris and William Shergold Browning.
  • Jan EBB’s “The Island” published in The New Monthly Magazine.
  • 1 May RB’s Strafford: An Historical Tragedy published by Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown, Green, and Longman, London. Also performed five times at Covent Garden and received with little enthusiasm.
  • 20 Jun William IV dies. Victoria ascends the throne.
  • 1 Jul EBB’s “The Young Queen” published in The Athenæum.
  • 8 Jul EBB’s “Victoria’s Tears” published in The Athenæum.
  • 23 Dec EBB’s Uncle Sam dies at Kingston, Jamaica.

1838

  • EBB’s “A Romance of the Ganges” published in Findens’ Tableaux: a Series of Picturesque Scenes of National Character, Beauty, and Costume (published October 1837).
  • mid-Apr EBB moves to 129 Crawford St. for a few days and then to 50 Wimpole St.
  • Apr–Jul RB’s first Italian journey. RB recorded his itinerary in diary form, now at University of Toronto; it is here reproduced in full.
    • April 13, Good Friday, left St Katharine’s Docks 4 p.m.
      Anchored in Halfway Reach, 6. pm. Brig. “Norham Castle,” Matt. Davidson—Courier, (John Graham, Mate) Snow.
    • Apr. 14. Norfleet 10. am.
    • Sund. 15. Gravesend. 5. p.m. 8. anchored in the Hope. Noon, in the Nob channel.
    • 16. (P.M.) 6. Anchored in the Downs. gales.
    • 17. Strong gales with snow.
    • 18. Strong gales, showers of sleet. 5. a.m weighed anchor and proceeded. observed a vessel on fire off Deal. noon, off Dungeness.
    • 19. Strong breezes with snow.
    • 20. P.M. St Katharine’s point N.E. by N. Ditto weather. Midnight, Start light, distance 7 leagues, from which the ship “takes its departure,” in lat. 50, 13 N. long. 3, 38W.
    • 21. Squally with rain.
    • Sund. 22. Strong gales, rain.
    • 23. Strong gales, squally, rain. Ship labouring and shipping much water.
    • 24. 10. a.m. Cape Finisterre, E.S.E distance, 10 miles.
    • 25. Steady breeze with showers.
    • 26. Rock of Lisbon, E.N.E, distance 40 miles. 8 a.m.
    • 27. Cape St. Vincent, N. by W. dist. 16 miles. noon. Spoke the “Mary & Isabella” bound to London.
    • 28. Fine.
    • Sund. 29. Cape Spartelle, S.S.W dist. 5 miles. 8 p.m. Midnight, strong gales with rain; Ceuta fort, S.S.W. 4 miles. Thro’ the Gut of Gibraltar.
    • 30. ½ p 1. p.m. passed Alboran Island. Fine, very hot.
    • May 1. Light breezes, hot & sultry weather.
    • 2. Light variable winds. burning heat.
    • 3. do.
    • 4. do; spoke a brig, name unknown.
    • 5. variable; calms. hot.
    • Sund. 6. ✟ calms. ✟ observed 5. a.m. let go, 4 p.m. (Lat 37, 33. Long. 3, 39E.)
    • 7. Light variable winds.
    • 8. Do.
    • 9. Calm, cloudy.
    • 10. Fresh breezes, Cape Bugrone [sic] S.E by S. 30 miles.
    • 11. 5 p.m. Galita Island. S.S.W 5 miles. noon, Cape Bon, squall, 8 miles.
    • 12. Pantelleria Island, S.W by S, 12 miles—4 a.m.
    • Sund. 13. 1. a.m. Goza [sic]. 7. a.m. Valetta, S.W by W, 7 miles.
    • 14. 6 p.m. Cape Pesaro, Noon Syracuse, N, 7 miles.
    • 15. Variable light weather.
    • 16. Calms—sultry weather, Mt. Ætna, N.W by N. all day.
    • 17. Do–
    • 18. Noon, caught a bonito. light airs, showers.
    • 19. Steady breezes. Noon, Fano Island. N.E distant 12 miles (Corfu in sight.) Coast of Albania, one side and Cape St Mary’s on the other.
    • Sund. 20. Light airs and calms. N. Cape St Mary’s W. half N. Otranto.
    • 21. Calms, sultry weather; noon, do: Sassino Is. N.E. saw two sperm-whales close astern, of from 80 to 90 feet.
    • 22. Weather do. 6. pm. Sassino Is. E.N.E. Tacking ship occasionally.
    • 23. Fresh breezes and clear weather, winds N.N.W. Brindisi, W.N.W, dist. 10 mile, 8. Tacked ship.
    • 24. Light Airs & Calms. Three sail in company.
    • 25. Do. Sultry weather. 13 Sail in comp.
    • 26. Do. Do. Isl. of Cazza N.E.
    • Sund. 27. Fresh wind, Scirocco. N. Poma, W.S.W. (6. pm). Is. St. Andrea. S. by E.
    • 28. Light airs and calms. Lissa Is. E.S.E. (noon).
    • 29. Calms, cloudy weather. Rovigno E by S, Noon.
    • 30. Arrived at Trieste—anchored 4 p m.
    • 31. Left by Steam-boat for Venice, 10. ½ pm.
    • June 1. Arrived at Venice, 7. a.m.
    • 2. Lodgings. Casa Stefani, Calle Giacomuzzi, S. Moise, 1139.
    • Sund. 3.
    • 4.
    • 5.
    • 6.
    • 7.
    • 8.
    • 9.
    • Sund. 10.
    • 11.
    • 12.
    • 13.
    • 14.
    • 15.
    • 16.
    • Sund. 17. Mestre, Treviso, Castelvecchio [sic], Rossano.
    • 18. Bassano
    • 19. Asolo, Possagno, Asolo.
    • 20.
    • 21. St Zenon, Asolo.
    • 22.
    • 23. Bassano.
    • Sund. 24. Vicenza.
    • 25. Padua.
    • 26. Venice.

  • 6 Jun EBB’s The Seraphim, and Other Poems published by Saunders and Otley, London.
  • 28 Jun Coronation of Queen Victoria.
  • 25 Aug Under medical advice, to recuperate from a lung hæmorrhage, EBB leaves London for “The Braddens,” Torquay.
  • 27 Aug EBB arrives at Torquay.
  • 1 Oct EBB moves to 3 Beacon Terrace, Torquay.

1839

  • EBB’s “The Romaunt of the Page” published in Findens’ Tableaux of the Affections: A Series of Picturesque Illustrations of the Womanly Virtues (published October 1838).
  • EBB’s “A Sabbath on the Sea” published in The Amaranth: A Miscellany of Original Prose and Verse (published October 1838).
  • 26 Jan EBB’s “L.E.L.’s Last Question” published in The Athenæum.
  • 18 May Richard Barrett dies at Montego Bay, his dispute with the Moulton-Barretts unsettled. Some claims awarded to his principal heirs Samuel Goodin Barrett and George Goodin Barrett.
  • 1 Oct EBB removes to 1 Beacon Terrace, Torquay.

1840

  • EBB’s “The Dream” and “The Legend of the Browne Rosarie” are published in Findens’ Tableaux: the Iris of Prose, Poetry, and Art for 1840 (published October 1839).
  • 10 Jan Penny postage begins.
  • 10 Feb Queen Victoria marries Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.
  • 15 Feb EBB’s “The Crowned and Wedded Queen” published in The Athenæum.
  • 17 Feb EBB’s brother, Samuel Moulton-Barrett, dies at Cinnamon Hill, Jamaica, and is buried there.
  • 29 Feb The announced date of publication of RB’s Sordello, which was actually published the following week by Edward Moxon, London.
  • Apr EBB’s “A Night Watch by the Sea” published in The Monthly Chronicle.
  • Jul EBB’s “A Lay of the Rose” published in The Monthly Chronicle.
  • 4 Jul EBB’s “Napoleon’s Return” published in The Athenæum.
  • 11 Jul Bro drowns in a sailing accident in Babbacombe Bay. EBB suffers a near-fatal illness as a result.
  • late-Dec RB’s family removes from Camberwell to New Cross, Hatcham, in Surrey.

1841

  • EBB’s “Queen Annelida and False Arcite” and “The Complaint of Annelida to False Arcite” published in The Poems of Geoffrey Chaucer, Modernized.
  • Jan EBB receives gift of the spaniel, Flush, from Miss Mitford.
  • Apr RB’s Pippa Passes (Bells and Pomegranates, No. I) published by Edward Moxon.
  • 21 Aug EBB’s “The House of Clouds” published in The Athenæum.
  • 11 Sep EBB returns to 50 Wimpole St., London.
  • 23 Oct EBB’s “Lessons from the Gorse” published in The Athenæum.

1842

  • 8 Jan EBB’s “Three Hymns, Translated from the Greek of Gregory Nazianzen” published in The Athenæum.
  • Feb–Mar EBB’s essay, “Some Account of the Greek Christian Poets,” published as a series of four articles in The Athenæum.
  • 12 Mar RB’s King Victor and King Charles (Bells and Pomegranates, No. II) published by Edward Moxon.
  • Jun–Aug EBB’s review and essay, “The Book of the Poets,” published as a series of five articles in The Athenæum.
  • 27 Aug EBB’s review of Wordsworth’s Poems, Chiefly of Early and Late Years published in The Athenæum.
  • 5 Sep RB goes to Sir Jonathan Hanmer at Hanmer Hall, Flintshire, for a week’s visit.
  • 17 Sep EBB’s “A Claim in an Allegory” published in The Athenæum.
  • 29 Oct EBB’s “Sonnet on Mr. Haydon’s Portrait of Mr. Wordsworth” published in The Athenæum.
  • Nov EBB’s “The Cry of the Human” published in The Boston Miscellany of Literature and Fashion.
  • Nov RB’s Dramatic Lyrics (Bells and Pomegranates, No. III) published by Edward Moxon.
  • Dec EBB sends Miss Mitford the stanzas beginning “Crown her the queen of the hops,” to accompany an unidentified engraving; these were apparently never published.
  • Dec EBB’s verses “I tell you, hopeless grief is passionless”; “When some belovéd voice”; “What are we set on earth for?” and “The woman singeth at her spinning-wheel” published in Graham’s Magazine.

1843

  • EBB composed the poems “The Prince of Wales”; “Rogers”; “The King of Prussia”; “Herr Döbler”; “Introductory Stanzas” and “The Duchess of Orleans,” intended for publication in Schloss’s English Bijou Almanac for 1843 (published December 1842), of which Miss Mitford was editor; of the six poems, only the latter two were printed.
  • Jan RB’s The Return of the Druses (Bells and Pomegranates, No. IV) published by Edward Moxon.
  • 11 Feb RB’s A Blot in the ’Scutcheon (Bells and Pomegranates, No. V) published by Edward Moxon; also opened at Drury Lane, but closed after only three performances.
  • Mar EBB’s “The Maiden’s Death” published in The Pioneer.
  • 4 Mar RB composes the lines “There’s a sisterhood in words—,” which he writes in Helena Faucit’s album. These lines were not published until 1893, when they appeared in On Some of Shakespeare’s Female Characters, by Helena Faucit Martin.
  • 24 Jun EBB’s review of R.H. Horne’s Orion published in The Athenæum.
  • Jul EBB’s “The Soul’s Expression” published in Graham’s Magazine.
  • 22 Jul EBB’s “To Flush, My Dog” published in The Athenæum.
  • Aug EBB’s “Seraph and Poet” published in Graham’s Magazine.
  • Aug EBB’s “The Cry of the Children” published in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine.
  • Sep EBB’s “The Child and the Watcher” published in Graham’s Magazine.
  • 13 Sep EBB’s dog Flush is stolen (see letter 1378) and is recovered two days later after payment of ransom.
  • Oct EBB’s “Catarina to Camoens” published in Graham’s Magazine.
  • 4 Oct Richard Hengist Horne informs EBB (letter 1392) of his intention to produce A New Spirit of the Age (1844). Shortly thereafter she complies with his request for biographical material about herself, to be included in this work, and agrees to assist on critiques of other contemporary writers. (Eventually RB also helps in this project, but he and EBB do not know of each other’s participation until later.)
  • Dec Harriet Martineau’s Life in the Sick-Room published by Edward Moxon. EBB repeatedly denied being the unnamed “invalid” to whom the book was dedicated.

1844

  • Jan EBB’s “The Lady’s Yes. A Song” published in Graham’s Magazine.
  • Mar EBB’s “Loved Once” published in Graham’s Magazine.
  • Mar Richard Hengist Horne’s A New Spirit of the Age published by Smith, Elder.
  • ca. 28 Apr RB’s Colombe’s Birthday (Bells and Pomegranates, No. VI) published by Edward Moxon.
  • Jun RB’s “The Laboratory (Ancien Régime),” and “Claret and Tokay” published in Hood’s Magazine.
  • July–Aug EBB’s “A Drama of Exile” published in The United States Magazine and Democratic Review.
  • Jul RB’s “Garden Fancies: I, The Flower’s Name; II, Sibrandus Schafnaburgensis” published in Hood’s Magazine.
  • Aug RB’s “The Boy and the Angel” published in Hood’s Magazine.
  • Aug EBB’s “Pain in Pleasure” published in Graham’s Magazine. “Insufficiency” published in The United States Magazine and Democratic Review.
  • 12 Aug–mid-Dec RB’s second Italian journey. RB recorded his itinerary in diary form, a fragment of which, now at Yale, reads:

    • Aug. 12. 12. Sailed from London. Bark Ariadne, R. Crozier.
    • 17. St. Helen’s Roads, Isle of Wight.
    • 18. on shore. Sailed.
    • Septr. 5. Cape St. Vincent.
    • 7. Cape Spartelle.
    • 8. Abyla.
    • 9. Malaga.
    • 20. S. Antioco.
    • 21. Cape Carbonara.
    • 25. Capri.
    • 26. Naples.
    • 30. Naples, Castellamare.
    • Oct. 1 Vico—the ravine from < . . . > ones red stripe < . . . > perished Vene < . . . >

  • 13 Aug EBB’s Poems (1844) published by Edward Moxon. It included “Lady Geraldine’s Courtship,” which mentions RB. American edition, entitled A Drama of Exile, and Other Poems, appears on 1 October.
  • 19 Oct EBB’s dog Flush is stolen for second time (letter 1741) and is recovered two days later upon payment of ransom.

1845

  • 10 Jan RB’s first letter to EBB. She replies on the following day.
  • Mar RB’s “The Tomb at St. Praxed’s (Rome, 15––)” published in Hood’s Magazine.
  • Apr RB’s “The Flight of the Duchess, Part the First,” published in Hood’s Magazine.
  • Apr EBB begins helping Miss Anne Thomson by providing translations for a proposed “Classical Album” (see Appendix IV).
  • 20 May RB, for first time, visits EBB at 50 Wimpole Street.
  • 31 May EBB/RB 2nd meeting.
  • 5 Jun EBB/RB 3rd meeting.
  • 11 Jun EBB/RB 4th meeting.
  • 18 Jun EBB/RB 5th meeting.
  • 28 Jun EBB/RB 6th meeting.
  • 5 Jul EBB/RB 7th meeting.
  • 10 Jul EBB/RB 8th meeting.
  • 16 Jul EBB/RB 9th meeting.
  • 24 Jul EBB/RB 10th meeting.
  • 30 Jul EBB/RB 11th meeting.
  • 6 Aug EBB/RB 12th meeting.
  • 12 Aug EBB/RB 13th meeting.
  • 22 Aug EBB/RB 14th meeting.
  • 26 Aug EBB/RB 15th meeting.
  • 30 Aug Dr. William Frederick Chambers advises EBB to go to Italy for health reasons. Mr. Barrett’s opposition deters her from making the trip. She later reported that, because of this episode, she was “driven” from her father and “drawn” to RB.
  • 1 Sep EBB/RB 16th meeting.
  • 8 Sep EBB/RB 17th meeting.
  • 12 Sep EBB/RB 18th meeting.
  • 22 Sep EBB/RB 19th meeting.
  • 26 Sep EBB/RB 20th meeting.
  • 30 Sep EBB/RB 21st meeting.
  • Oct EBB’s “Sonnet: A Sketch” and “Wisdom Unapplied” published in The Christian Mother’s Magazine.
  • 3 Oct EBB/RB 22nd meeting.
  • 9 Oct EBB/RB 23rd meeting.
  • 16 Oct EBB/RB 24th meeting.
  • 21 Oct EBB/RB 25th meeting.
  • 28 Oct EBB/RB 26th meeting.
  • 3 Nov EBB/RB 27th meeting.
  • 6 Nov RB’s Dramatic Romances and Lyrics (Bells and Pomegranates, No. VII) published by Edward Moxon.
  • 8 Nov EBB/RB 28th meeting.
  • 13 Nov EBB/RB 29th meeting.
  • 19 Nov EBB/RB 30th meeting.
  • 25 Nov EBB/RB 31st meeting.
  • 1 Dec EBB/RB 32nd meeting.
  • 6 Dec EBB/RB 33rd meeting.
  • 11 Dec EBB/RB 34th meeting.
  • 17 Dec EBB/RB 35th meeting.
  • 23 Dec EBB/RB 36th meeting.
  • 29 Dec EBB/RB 37th meeting.

1846

  • 3 Jan EBB/RB 38th meeting.
  • 8 Jan EBB/RB 39th meeting.
  • 13 Jan EBB/RB 40th meeting.
  • 20 Jan EBB/RB 41st meeting.
  • 24 Jan EBB/RB 42nd meeting.
  • 29 Jan EBB/RB 43rd meeting.
  • 3 Feb EBB/RB 44th meeting.
  • 9 Feb EBB/RB 45th meeting.
  • 14 Feb EBB/RB 46th meeting.
  • 18 Feb EBB/RB 47th meeting.
  • 23 Feb EBB/RB 48th meeting.
  • 28 Feb EBB/RB 49th meeting.
  • 5 Mar EBB/RB 50th meeting.
  • 9 Mar EBB/RB 51st meeting.
  • 14 Mar EBB/RB 52nd meeting.
  • 19 Mar EBB/RB 53rd meeting.
  • 23 Mar EBB/RB 54th meeting.
  • 28 Mar EBB/RB 55th meeting.
  • Apr EBB translated “The Daughters of Pandarus” (two versions) from the Odyssey for use in Anna Brownell Jameson’s Memoirs and Essays Illustrative of Art, Literature, and Social Morals (1846). The translations later were reprinted in EBB’s Last Poems (1862).
  • 2 Apr EBB/RB 56th meeting.
  • 6 Apr EBB/RB 57th meeting.
  • 11 Apr EBB/RB 58th meeting.
  • 13 Apr RB’s Luria and A Soul’s Tragedy (Bells and Pomegranates, No. VIII) published by Edward Moxon.
  • 15 Apr EBB/RB 59th meeting.
  • 20 Apr EBB/RB 60th meeting.
  • 25 Apr EBB/RB 61st meeting.
  • 30 Apr EBB/RB 62nd meeting.
  • 4 May EBB/RB 63rd meeting.
  • 9 May EBB/RB 64th meeting.
  • 11 May In a letter to RB (no. 2355), EBB reports first walk in Regent’s Park after her extended illness.
  • 14 May EBB/RB 65th meeting.
  • 18 May EBB/RB 66th meeting.
  • 23 May EBB/RB 67th meeting.
  • 27 May EBB/RB 68th meeting.
  • 1 Jun EBB/RB 69th meeting.
  • 6 Jun EBB/RB 70th meeting.
  • 11 Jun EBB/RB 71st meeting.
  • 15 Jun EBB/RB 72nd meeting.
  • 20 Jun EBB/RB 73rd meeting.
  • 22 Jun Artist Benjamin Robert Haydon commits suicide; leaves statement indicating that he wants EBB to edit his memoirs and other papers. On advice of lawyer Thomas Noon Talfourd, she does not do so.
  • 25 Jun EBB/RB 74th meeting.
  • 29 Jun EBB/RB 75th meeting.
  • 8 Jul EBB/RB 76th meeting.
  • 11 Jul EBB/RB 77th meeting.
  • 14 Jul EBB/RB 78th meeting.
  • 18 Jul EBB/RB 79th meeting.
  • 21 Jul EBB/RB 80th meeting.
  • 25 Jul EBB/RB 81st meeting.
  • 28 Jul EBB/RB 82nd meeting.
  • 1 Aug EBB/RB 83rd meeting
  • 4 Aug EBB/RB 84th meeting.
  • 8 Aug EBB/RB 85th meeting.
  • 11 Aug EBB/RB 86th meeting.
  • 14 Aug EBB/RB 87th meeting.
  • 20 Aug EBB/RB 88th meeting.
  • 29 Aug EBB/RB 89th meeting.
  • 1 Sep EBB’s dog Flush is stolen for third and final time and is recovered on 5 September upon payment of ransom.
  • 9 Sep EBB/RB 90th meeting.
  • 11 Sep EBB/RB 91st meeting.
  • 12 Sep EBB and RB are married in St. Marylebone Church, London, with Elizabeth Wilson and James Silverthorne as witnesses.
  • 19 Sep EBB & RB travel from London to Le Hâvre, accompanied by EBB’s maid Elizabeth Wilson and Flush, EBB’s spaniel.
  • 20 Sep Rest in Le Hâvre till 9 p.m. departure for Rouen.
  • 21 Sep 1:00 a.m. Brownings depart for Paris, arriving mid-morning, to the Messagerie Hotel; note to Mrs. Jameson; visit from her 9:00 p.m. Barretts leave 50 Wimpole Street and go to Little Bookham, Leatherhead, Surrey, while Wimpole Street is being refurbished.
  • 22 Sep Mid-morning visit to Mrs. Jameson.
  • 23 Sep Move to Hotel de la Ville de Paris.
  • 25 Sep EBB & RB walk along Les Champs Élysées.
  • 28 Sep Evening departure for Orleans via Chartres. Mrs. Jameson and her niece Gerardine Bate accompany the Brownings, Wilson, and Flush to Pisa.
  • 30 Sep Travel by day from Orleans to Bourges.
  • Oct EBB’s “A Woman’s Shortcomings,” “A Man’s Requirements,” “Maud’s Spinning,” “A Dead Rose,” “Change on Change,” “A Reed,” and “Hector in the Garden” published in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine.
  • 1 Oct Travel by day from Bourges to Roanne via Nevers.
  • 2 Oct Travel by day from Roanne to Moulins.
  • 3 Oct Travel overnight from Moulins to Lyons.
  • 5 Oct Travel by boat from Lyons to Avignon.
  • 8 Oct Day excursion from Avignon to Vaucluse and back.
  • 10 Oct Travel by day from Avignon to Aix.
  • 11 Oct Travel from Aix to Marseilles; embarked at Marseilles 5 p.m.
  • 12 Oct Arrive at Genoa 7 p.m.
  • 13 Oct Leave Genoa at nightfall.
  • 14 Oct Land at Leghorn 8 a.m. and on to Pisa, staying at the Hotel Peverada (Le Tre Donzelle).
  • 18 Oct Brownings take up residence in Collegio di Ferdinando.
  • 7 Nov Mrs. Jameson and Gerardine Bate leave Pisa for Rome via Florence.
  • 23 Dec EBB sends “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point” to James Russell Lowell.

1847

  • 23 Jan–1 Feb EBB & RB nurse Wilson.
  • Feb EBB’s brother, Charles John (“Storm”) leaves England for Jamaica, not to return until after their father’s death in 1857.
  • 21 Mar EBB’s first miscarriage.
  • 20 Apr Brownings arrive in Florence, Hotel du Nord.
  • 22 Apr Brownings take rooms in Via delle Belle Donne, 4222 (now 6).
  • 23–30 Apr Mrs. Jameson and Gerardine Bate visit the Brownings.
  • 21 May The Brownings’ marriage settlement witnessed by Compton John Hanford.
  • 14 Jul Brownings go to Vallombrosa to escape the heat of Florence.
  • 19 Jul Brownings return to Florence to Via delle Belle Donne.
  • 20 Jul Brownings move to Palazzo Guidi, Piazza San Felice.
  • 12 Sep EBB & RB celebrate their first wedding anniversary. It coincides with the Florentine celebration of the Grand Duke’s granting a Civic Guard.
  • 19 Oct Move to Via Maggio, 1881 (now 21).
  • 29 Oct Move to Piazza Pitti, 1703 (now 8).

1848

  • EBB’s “The Runaway Slave at Pilgrim’s Point” published in The Liberty Bell (issued in December 1847).
  • ca. Mar EBB sends “A Meditation in Tuscany” to Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, but it is not published.
  • mid-Mar EBB suffers a second miscarriage.
  • 9 May The Brownings return to Palazzo Guidi; it becomes their principal residence until EBB’s death.
  • 10 May EBB’s friend and mentor, Hugh Stuart Boyd, dies.
  • 17 Jul–7 Aug The Brownings take a holiday on the Adriatic, staying in Fano (3 days), Ancona (1 week), then Loreto, Senigallia, Pesaro, Rimini, Ravenna, and Forli.
  • 27 Nov RB’s A Blot in the ’Scutcheon is revived at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre; it runs for six performances, two of which are given in February 1849.
  • mid-Dec RB’s Poems (1849) is published in two volumes by Chapman and Hall.

1849

  • 9 Mar Robert Wiedeman Barrett Browning, the poets’ only child, is born at Palazzo Guidi. Thereafter, EBB refers to their residence as Casa Guidi.
  • 18 Mar RB’s mother, Sarah Anna Browning, dies.
  • 17–22 Jun EBB and RB make an excursion to Pisa, La Spezia (2 days), Lerici, Seravezza, Bagni di Lucca, and Lucca. They leave Pen in Florence with Wilson.
  • 30 Jun The Brownings, now including Pen, take up summer residence at Bagni di Lucca in Casa Valeri, Bagni Caldi. During their stay, EBB presents RB with Sonnets from the Portuguese.
  • 17 Oct The Brownings return to Casa Guidi from Bagni di Lucca.
  • late Oct EBB suffers a third miscarriage.
  • 22 Dec EBB’s “A Child’s Grave at Florence: A.A.E.C.” published in The Athenæum.

1850

  • 1 Apr RB’s Christmas-Eve and Easter-Day published by Chapman and Hall.
  • 6 Apr EBB’s sister Henrietta marries their second cousin, William Surtees Cook.
  • 23 Apr William Wordsworth, the poet laureate, dies. An article in The Athenæum of 1 June 1850, written by T.K. Hervey, suggests EBB as a possible candidate for the laureateship.
  • 1 May The Brownings lease an additional room at Casa Guidi.
  • 2 Jul RB goes to Siena in search of a summer residence for his family and returns to Florence at three o’clock in the morning.
  • 28 Jul EBB suffers a fourth miscarriage.
  • 31 Aug–30 Sep After staying one night in a Siena hotel, the Brownings take up residence outside the city at Villa Poggio al Vento.
  • 1–7 Oct The Brownings move into a furnished apartment in Siena. They spend a week sightseeing before returning to Florence.
  • Sep The Poems of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, a reprint of The Seraphim (1838) and the American edition of Poems (1844), is published by C.S. Francis & Co., New York and J.H. Francis, Boston.
  • 26 Oct EBB’s “Hiram Powers’s Greek Slave” published anonymously in Household Words.
  • Nov Alfred Tennyson is appointed poet laureate.
  • 8 Nov EBB’s Poems (1850) published by Chapman and Hall, includes first appearance of Sonnets from the Portuguese.

1851

  • 3 May The Brownings leave Florence for Venice, Paris, and London. They are accompanied by the Ogilvys as far as Venice.
  • 4–6 May They reach Bologna and spend two days there.
  • ca. 6–10 May They travel to Venice, via Modena, Parma, and Mantua. In Venice the Brownings take rooms in a palazzo on the Grand Canal.
  • 21 May EBB’s Casa Guidi Windows published by Chapman and Hall.
  • 11 Jun The Brownings make an excursion to Chioggia.
  • 13–30 Jun The Brownings leave Venice for Paris, travelling via Padua (where they visit Petrarch’s tomb at nearby Arqua), Verona, Brescia, Milan, Como, Cadenabbia, Menaggio, Porlezza, Lugano, Bellinzona (where they make an excursion to Lago Maggiore), Faido, St. Gotthard, Fluellen, Lucerne, Basel, and Strasbourg. In Paris, they stay at the Hôtel aux Armes de la Ville de Paris.
  • 22–23 Jul The Brownings travel from Paris to London, via Dieppe and Newhaven. In London they stay briefly at 4 George Street before taking rooms at 26 Devonshire Street.
  • 25–26 Sep The Brownings return to Paris, accompanied by Thomas Carlyle. They stop in Dieppe for one night; in Paris the Brown¬ings again stay at the Hôtel aux Armes de la Ville de Paris.
  • 10 Oct They take up winter residence at 138 Avenue Champs Élysées.
  • mid-Oct–mid Nov RB, Sr. and Sarianna visit the Brownings in Paris.
  • 2–4 Dec French President, Louis Napoleon, directs a coup d’état that gives him dictatorial power. On the 6th, the Brownings drive the boulevards to visit scenes of the fighting.
  • ca. 11 Dec The Brownings are introduced to Joseph Milsand. He will become RB’s closest friend.

1852

  • Jan EBB’s long-time friend and correspondent, Mary Russell Mitford, publishes Recollections of a Literary Life. EBB is disturbed by its reference to her brother Edward’s death.
  • 15 Feb The Brownings first meet George Sand.
  • Mar RB, Sr. and Sarianna remove to 28 Chepstow Place, Bayswater.
  • 5–6 Jul RB and EBB travel from Paris to London, staying in London at 58 Welbeck Street.
  • 18 Jul RB Sr and Sarianna travel to Paris, staying at 6 Rue de la Comète. They are accompanied by RB, who returns to London the following day.
  • Aug Sarianna returns to London, to dispose of the house in Bayswater.
  • 21–23 Aug RB and EBB visit the Paines (hop-growers and admirers of the Brownings’ poetry) in Farnham, Surrey.
  • 25 Sep Sarianna, having disposed of the house in Bayswater with RB’s assistance, joins RB and EBB at 58 Welbeck Street.
  • ca. 30 Sep The Brownings, including Sarianna, remove to 15 Bentinck Street.
  • 12 Oct The Brownings travel from London to Paris, via Folkestone, Boulogne, and Amiens, accompanied by Sarianna Browning. In Paris RB, EBB, and Pen stay at the Hotel de la Ville l’Eveque.
  • mid-Oct RB, Sr. and Sarianna settle in an apartment at 63 Rue des Ecuries d’Artois.
  • 23 Oct–ca. 11 Nov The Brownings leave Paris for Florence via Chalon-sur-Saône, Lyons, Chambéry, Lanslebourg, Mt. Cenis, Susa, Turin, and Genoa, spending 2 days in Turin and 10 in Genoa.

1853

  • Jan–Mar RB composes some of the poems that will appear in Men and Women (1855). EBB begins writing Aurora Leigh (1857) and prepares copy for the third edition of her collected works, Poems (1853).
  • 25 Apr RB’s Colombe’s Birthday, with Helena Faucit Martin in the title role, opens at the Haymarket Theatre, London, and is performed seven times, the last night being 11 May.
  • ca. 1 May RB, Sr. and Sarianna move to 138 Avenue de Champs Élysées, Paris.
  • ca. 9 May The Brownings, including Pen, make an excursion to Fiesole.
  • 31 May &amp; 3 Jun RB’s Colombe’s Birthday is performed at the Theatre Royal, Manchester.
  • Jun The Brownings engage Ferdinando Romagnoli as a manservant. He becomes a member of the household and accompanies the Brownings on many of their travels.
  • 12 Jun The poets, along with Pen, travel to Prato, evidently returning the same day.
  • 15 July–10 Oct The Brownings take up summer residence at Casa Tolomei, Bagno alla Villa, Bagni di Lucca. They make excursions to Benabbio, Prato Fiorito, and other locations in the area, often accompanied by William Wetmore Story, the American sculptor, his wife Emelyn, and their children Edith and Joseph.
  • ca. Sep–Nov Arabella and the Moulton-Barrett household stay at Milford House, near Lymington, Hampshire, during the refurbishing of 50 Wimpole Street.
  • 5–17 Sep Robert Lytton stays with the Brownings in Casa Tolomei.
  • 15 Oct EBB’s Poems (1853) published by Chapman and Hall.
  • 15–22 Nov The Brownings travel to Rome, via Perugia, Assisi, Foligno, Spoleto, Terni, Narni, and Civita Castellana.
  • 22 Nov The Brownings arrive in Rome where they take up winter residence at 43 Via Bocca di Leone. Their stay in marred by the death of Joseph Story, the day after their arrival.

1854

  • Mar William Fisher completes an oil portrait of RB.
  • 22 Mar RB travels to Velletri (on William Story’s urgent message concerning his daughter’s health) and returns to Rome the following day.
  • Apr EBB’s “A Plea for the Ragged Schools of London” and RB’s “The Twins” published by Chapman and Hall under the title Two Poems by Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning.
  • Apr–May The Brownings make several excursions into the Roman Campagna, including Castel Fusano, Vallerano, and Tivoli.
  • 14–17 Apr The Brownings take part in the celebrations of Holy Week: they hear a performance of the “Miserere” on Good Friday (15th), attend the Pope’s benediction on Easter morning (16th) and the illuminations at St. Peter’s on Easter night, and watch the fireworks on Monday night (17th) from the balcony of the American minister to the Papal States.
  • May William Page completes an oil portrait of RB and presents it to EBB.
  • 26 May–ca. 1 Jun The Brownings return to Florence.
  • 16 Jun EBB’s pet spaniel Flush dies.
  • Aug EBB’s father is struck by a cab in Wimpole Street, resulting in a broken leg.
  • 22 Aug EBB encloses a copy of Robert Lytton’s poem, “R.B.,” in letter 3456.
  • Nov EBB’s “My Kate” published in The Keepsake (1855).

1855

  • 10 Jan Mary Russell Mitford dies.
  • 12 Jun Elizabeth Wilson and Ferdinando Romagnoli are married in Florence by an English clergyman.
  • 13–14 Jun The Brownings leave Florence for Paris and London with Wilson and Ferdinando, but missing their ship at Leghorn, they spend the night in Pisa and return home the following day.
  • 20–24 Jun They depart for Paris and London, travelling via Leghorn, Bastia, Marseilles (Hôtel des Empereurs), where they meet EBB’s brother Alfred, and Lyons. They are accompanied by Isa Blagden, who travels with them as far as Marseilles. In Paris they stay at 138 Avenue des Champs Elysées.
  • 10 Jul Wilson and Ferdinando are married by a Roman Catholic priest in Paris.
  • 11–12 Jul The Brownings, accompanied by Sarianna, travel from Paris to London, via Boulogne and Folkestone. In London they stay at 13 Dorset Street.
  • 23 Jul The Brownings attend a séance in Ealing conducted by Daniel Dunglas Home.
  • 1 Aug EBB’s brother, Alfred, marries their second cousin Lizzie Barrett at the British Embassy in Paris.
  • late Aug Arabella and Moulton-Barrett household travel to Eastbourne, where they stay at Cornfield Terrace for ten weeks.
  • 25–29 Sep Arabella makes a short visit to London. She stays near the Brownings at the home of Frances McIntosh, 39 Dorset Street.
  • 27 Sep Alfred Tennyson calls on the Brownings at 13 Dorset Street for the second straight day. He reads Maud to them and William and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. The latter draws a sketch of Tennyson reading and presents it to the Brownings.
  • 29 Sep–3 Oct Pen travels to Eastbourne with Arabella and returns to London.
  • 11 Oct Sarianna returns to Paris.
  • 17 Oct The Brownings travel to Paris, staying at 102 Rue de Grenelle, Faubourg St. Germain.
  • 26 Oct Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton and his son Robert call on the Brownings in Paris. Sir Edward and RB discuss spiritualism and Daniel Dunglas Home.
  • ca. Nov RB, Sr. and Sarianna move to 151 Rue de Grenelle, Faubourg St. Germain.
  • Nov RB’s “Ben Karshook’s Wisdom” published in The Keepsake (1856).
  • 10 Nov RB’s Men and Women published by Chapman and Hall. The American edition, published in Boston by Ticknor and Fields, appears on 8 December 1855 with an 1856 imprint.
  • Dec EBB’s “A Curse for a Nation” published in The Liberty Bell (1856).
  • 13 Dec The Brownings move from their cold Paris apartment at 102 Rue de Grenelle to warmer accommodations at 3 Rue du Colysée.

1856

  • 30 Mar The peace treaty ending the Crimean War is signed at Paris.
  • 13 Apr EBB’s sister Henrietta gives birth to her third child, Edward Altham Cook, at Wilton, Taunton.
  • 29 Jun The Brownings travel from Paris to London via Boulogne and Folkestone. They stay at John Kenyon’s residence, 39 Devonshire Place.
  • Aug–Sep RB, Sr. and Sarianna spend part of the summer at the Hotel de Lyon, 22 Rue du Hazard, Versailles, France.
  • 23 Aug The Brownings travel to Ventnor, Isle of Wight, staying at Melbourne Villa. Arabella and brothers George, Henry, and Octavius are nearby at Milanese Villa.
  • 6 Sep The Brownings travel to West Cowes, Isle of Wight, to visit John Kenyon. While there, EBB works on the proofs and revises for Aurora Leigh.
  • 22 Sep The Brownings travel to Wilton, near Taunton, Somerset, to visit Henrietta and her family.
  • 30 Sep The Brownings return to 39 Devonshire Place, where EBB completes the final revises for Aurora Leigh.
  • 23–30 Oct The Brownings travel to Florence, via Paris, Dijon, Marseilles, Genoa, and Leghorn. In Dijon they meet their friend Joseph Milsand.
  • 1 Nov EBB’s Poems (1856) published by Chapman and Hall.
  • 15 Nov EBB’s Aurora Leigh (1857) published by Chapman and Hall.
  • Dec EBB’s “Amy’s Cruelty” and RB’s “May and Death” published in The Keepsake (1857).
  • 3 Dec John Kenyon dies; his bequests to the Brownings total £10,500.

1857

  • 12 Jan Second edition of Aurora Leigh (1857) published by Chapman and Hall.
  • Mar Third edition (reprint) of Aurora Leigh published by Chapman and Hall.
  • 9 Mar Mary Trepsack, long-time Barrett family friend, dies in London.
  • 17 Apr EBB’s father dies in London.
  • 24 Apr EBB’s father is buried at Ledbury, Herefordshire.
  • 16 Jun RB, Isa Blagden, and Annette Bracken travel to Pisa to see the illuminations; they return to Florence the next day.
  • 24 Jun Arabella takes a lease at 7 Delamere Terrace, Harrow Road, London, where she lives until her death in 1868.
  • 30 Jul The Brownings take up summer residence at Casa Betti, Alla Villa, Bagni di Lucca. They are soon joined by Isa Blagden, Annette Bracken, and Robert Lytton, all of whom stay at the nearby Pelicano
    hotel.
  • 1 Aug EBB sends her poem “My Heart and I” and RB’s poem “Study of a Hand, by Lionardo” to Marguerite Power for The Keepsake but learns a short time later that the publication had folded.
  • 19 Sep RB is nearly killed in a horse-riding accident in the mountains above Gallicano
  • 26 Sep Wilson (eight months pregnant) returns to Florence, and the Brownings engage a new lady’s maid, Annunziata Lena, who remains with them until EBB’s death.
  • 7 Oct The Brownings return to Florence.
  • 19 Oct RB travels to Leghorn where he joins Isa Blagden; they return to Florence the following evening.

1858

  • 8 Jun The Brownings host an evening at Casa Guidi that includes American authors Nathaniel Hawthorne and William Cullen Bryant.
  • 1 Jul The Brownings leave Florence for Paris, accompanied by EBB’s lady’s maid, Annunziata Lena.
  • 1–3 Jul The Brownings travel by steamer from Leghorn to Marseilles via Genoa. In Marseilles they lodge at the Hôtel du Louvre.
  • 4–6 Jul They continue on to Paris by rail, stopping in Lyons (Hôtel Colet) and Dijon (Hôtel du Parc). In Paris they stay at the Hôtel de Londres, Rue Hyacinthe, St. Honoré.
  • 19–21 Jul Accompanied by RB, Sr. and Sarianna, the Brownings leave Paris for Étretat, but, disliking the situation there, they proceed on to Le Havre, where they stay at Maison Versigny, 2 Rue du Perrey. In August they are joined by Arabella, George, Henry, and Henry’s wife, Amelia, as well as Joseph Milsand.
  • 20 Sep The Brownings and Arabella travel to Paris, staying at 6 Rue Castiglione, Place Vendôme, where George later joins them.
  • 12 Oct Arabella returns to London.
  • 18–19 Oct The Brownings leave Paris for Florence. They travel by rail to Chambéry via Mâcon.
  • 20 Oct During their stay in Chambéry they visit nearby Les Charmettes, a country house where Rousseau once lived.
  • 21 Oct They resume their journey by rail from Chambéry to St. Jean de Maurienne, then on to Lanslebourg by diligence.
  • 22 Oct They cross the Mt. Cenis pass to Susa by makeshift carriage.
  • 23–24 Oct They proceed to Genoa via Turin.
  • 24–25 Oct They travel by steamer to Leghorn, enduring a stormy eighteen-hour passage. They stay the night in Leghorn.
  • 26 Oct Completing their journey by rail, the Brownings arrive in Florence.
  • 18 Nov The Brownings, together with their American friends— David Eckley, his wife, Sophia, and their son, David—leave Florence for Rome, travelling in a closed carriage provided by the Eckleys. The first day they reach Poggio Bagnoli.
  • 19–24 Nov The Brownings and the Eckleys proceed to Rome via Camucia, Perugia, Spoleto, Terni, and Civita Castellana. In Rome the Brownings spend their first night in a hotel (Hôtel de l’Angleterre).
  • 25 Nov The Brownings take up winter residence at 43 Bocca de Leone.

1859

  • 15 Mar RB makes an excursion to Ostia to see the excavations.
  • 25 Mar RB attends the fair at Grotta Ferrata in company with Frederic Leighton and the Cartwrights
  • 19 Apr RB and Pen make an excursion to Tivoli with Mrs. Cartwright and her children.
  • 26 Apr The second war of Italian independence begins when Austrian troops enter Piedmont.
  • 27 Apr The Brownings and Eckleys make an excursion to Tivoli. A bloodless coup d’état in Florence deposes Grand Duke Leopold II.
  • 26–30 May The Brownings travel by vettura and rail from Rome to ­Florence via Viterbo, Radicofani, and Siena.
  • 1 Jun Fourth edition of Aurora Leigh is published.
  • 24 Jun Battle of Solferino; Piedmontese and French forces defeat the Austrians.
  • 11 Jul The war ends when the French Emperor Napoleon III and the Austrian Emperor Franz Josef sign an armistice at Villafranca.
  • 17–18 Jul RB accompanies Walter Savage Landor to Siena and returns; soon thereafter he becomes the elder poet’s de facto guardian.
  • 20 Jul EBB falls seriously ill.
  • 30 Jul The Brownings travel from Florence to Siena, staying at the ­Hotel Aquila Nera.
  • 1 Aug They take up summer residence in the Villa Alberti, Marciano, near Siena. EBB convalesces slowly; she does not step outside until September.
  • 24 Sep EBB’s “A Tale of Villafranca” published in The Athenæum.
  • 10 Oct The Brownings return to Florence.
  • 28 Nov They travel from Florence to Rome by vettura. They are accompanied by Ferdinando and his cousin Lazzaro, who has been engaged to take care of Pen’s Sardinian pony, Stella, which trots alongside the carriage. After resting at Incisa, a village associated with Petrarch, they spend the first night at Poggio Bagnoli.
  • 29 Nov–3 Dec They proceed to Rome via Passignano, Camucia, Foligno, and Perugia. Their first night in Rome is spent at the Hôtel d’Angleterre.
  • 4 Dec They take up winter residence at 28 Via del Tritone.

1860

  • 12 Mar EBB’s Poems Before Congress published by Chapman and Hall.
  • mid-Mar In plebiscites held in Tuscany and Emilia, an overwhelming majority vote for union with Piedmont.
  • 22 Mar RB makes an excursion to Albano with his friend William Cornwallis Cartwright (of Aynhoe, Northamptonshire) and his wife Clementine.
  • 29 Mar EBB’s “A Court Lady” published in The Independent (New York).
  • early Apr Napoleon III in Italy, and Other Poems, the American edition of Poems Before Congress, published in New York by C.S. Francis & Co.
  • 11 May Garibaldi and his small army of volunteers (The Thousand) land at Marsala in Sicily. By the end of July they control the island.
  • Jun EBB learns that her sister Henrietta is seriously ill. Her condition worsens through the summer and into the autumn. EBB is much affected.
  • 4 Jun The Brownings leave Rome for Florence, travelling by vettura. They stop the first night at Viterbo.
  • 5–7 Jun They proceed to Siena via Orvieto, Chiusi, Ficulle (where they rest), and Sinalunga.
  • 7 Jun “First News from Villafranca” published in The Independent (New York).
  • 8 Jun From Siena the Brownings travel by rail to Florence.
  • Jul EBB’s “A Musical Instrument” published in The Cornhill Magazine.
  • 7 Jul The Brownings travel to Siena by rail, and take up summer residence at the Villa Alberti.
  • 11 Jul–1 Dec Arabella is at Stoke Court, Stoke St. Mary, Somerset, during Henrietta’s terminal illnes
  • 16 Aug EBB’s “King Victor Emanuel Entering Florence, April 1860” published in The Independent (New York).
  • 18–19 Aug Garibaldi and his volunteers cross the strait of Messina to Calabria. They begin marching up the peninsula.
  • 30 Aug EBB’s “The Sword of Castruccio Castracani” published in The Independent (New York).
  • 7 Sep Garibaldi enters Naples.
  • 11 Sep The Piedmontese army invades the Papal States
  • 27 Sep EBB’s “Summing Up in Italy” published in The Independ­ent (New York).
  • 29 Sep Papal forces surrender to the Piedmontese army at Ancona.
  • Oct EBB’s “A Forced Recruit at Solferino” published in The Cornhill Magazine.
  • 11 Oct The Brownings return to Florence. EBB’s “Garibaldi” published in The Independent (New York).
  • 21 Oct–5 Nov Plebiscites in Sicily, Naples, and the Papal States result in union with a greater Italy.
  • 18 Nov The Brownings leave Florence for Rome.
  • 21 Nov They stop at Terni.
  • 23 Nov They arrive at Rome where they stay at 126 Via ­Felice. Henrietta dies of cancer; the Brownings receive the news in early December.
  • 6 Dec EBB’s “De Profundis” published in The Independent (New York).

1861

  • 18 Feb First Italian parliament meets at Turin.
  • 21 Mar EBB’s “Parting Lovers” published in The Independent (New York).
  • 12 Apr The American Civil War begins with the bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor.
  • 2 May EBB’s “Mother and Poet” published in The Independent(New York).
  • 16 May EBB’s “Only a Curl” published in The Independent (New York).
  • Jun EBB’s “Little Mattie” published in The Cornhill Magazine.
  • 1–5 Jun The Brownings travel by vettura from Rome to Florence, resting a day at Siena.
  • 6 Jun Camillo di Cavour, Italy’s first prime minister, dies. His death is a severe shock to EBB.
  • 20 Jun EBB complains of a sore throat.
  • 21–22 Jun She spends two sleepless nights coughing.
  • 29 Jun EBB dies at Casa Guidi. Pen leaves for Villa Brichieri.
  • 1 Jul EBB is buried in the Protestant Cemetery in Florence.
  • 2 Jul RB leaves Casa Guidi for Villa Brichieri.
  • 18 Jul EBB’s “The King’s Gift” published in The Independent (New York).
  • 25 Jul EBB’s “A View Across the Roman Campagna” published in The Independent (New York).
  • 1 Aug RB and Pen leave Florence for Paris, taking Pen’s pony (which is with them on their journey to London), accompanied by Isa Blagden.
  • 3 Aug RB, Pen, and Isa Blagden depart from Bologna by rail.
  • 7 Aug They arrive in Paris, RB and Pen staying at 151 Rue de Gre­nelle, Faubourg St. Germain, residence of RB, Sr. and Sarianna Browning.
  • 12 Aug RB and Pen, with RB, Sr. and Sarianna, travel to St. Enogat, near Dinard, staying in lodgings owned by M. Chauvin.
  • 21–22 Sep They return to 151 Rue de Grenelle, Paris.
  • 25–27 Sep RB and Pen travel to London via Boulogne, staying at 7 Delamere Terrace, the residence of Arabella Moulton-Barrett.
  • 8 Oct RB and Pen take up residence at 1 Chichester Road, Upper Westbourne Terrace, London.
  • 7 Nov EBB’s “The North and the South” published in The Independent (New York).

1862

  • 4 Feb RB is elected to the Athenæum Club.
  • 24 Feb–3 Mar RB and Pen spend a week in Paris, staying at 151 Rue de Grenelle, the residence of RB, Sr. and Sarianna Browning.
  • ca. 10 Mar RB is offered the editorship of The Cornhill Magazine, which he declines.
  • 20 Mar EBB’s Last Poems published by Chapman and Hall.
  • early Apr American edition of EBB’s Last Poems published by James Miller, New York.
  • 23 Apr RB composes the lines “Deaf and Dumb” for a sculpture by Thomas Woolner.
  • 8 May RB takes up residence at 19 Warwick Crescent, Harrow Road, Upper Westbourne Terrace, London, his principal residence until 1887.
  • 19 May Sarianna Browning travels from Paris to London and stays with RB at 19 Warwick Crescent, returning to Paris on 13 June.
  • 24 May RB travels to Broughton Castle, Oxfordshire, for the funeral of Ellen Twisleton.
  • 2 Aug RB and Pen travel to Paris, staying at 151 Rue de Grenelle, the residence of RB, Sr. and Sarianna.
  • 9 Aug RB, Pen, RB, Sr., and Sarianna leave Paris for Ste. Marie, near Pornic, lodging in the house of the mayor, René Laraison.
  • 2–3 Oct RB, Pen, RB, Sr., and Sarianna travel from Ste. Marie to Paris.
  • 10–11 Oct RB and Pen return to London.
  • 16 Oct EBB’s memorial tablet is placed above the front entrance of Casa Guidi.
  • 18 Oct In letter 5124, RB announces his intention “to make a regular poem of” a 17th-century Italian murder case—which will become The Ring and the Book (1868–69).
  • 20 Dec RB’s Selections (1863) published by Chapman and Hall.

1863

  • 20 Feb RB travels to Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, to visit Lady Salisbury, and returns.
  • Mar Pen is entered for residence at Balliol College, Oxford, in Michaelmas term, 1867.
  • 9 Mar EBB’s The Greek Christian Poets and The English Poets published by Chapman and Hall.
  • 14–29 Mar RB and Pen visit RB, Sr. and Sarianna in Paris, staying at 151 Rue de Grenelle.
  • early Apr EBB’s Essays on the Greek Christian Poets and the English Poets, published by James Miller, New York.
  • May–Sep RB’s Poetical Works (3rd ed., 3 vols., 1863) published by Chapman and Hall: Vol. I on 9 May; Vol. II on 1 July; and Vol. III on 1 September.
  • 20 May RB and Pen attend the Derby at Epsom, Surrey.
  • 28 May RB travels to Richmond with the Benzons and Sebastian Schlesinger, and returns.
  • 27 June RB and Pen travel to Hatfield House with Mountstuart E. Grant Duff, Arthur Russell, and Mme. Mohl, and return.
  • Jul Pen’s Sardinian pony, Stella, is given away.
  • 2 Aug RB and Pen travel to Paris, staying with RB, Sr. and Sarianna at 151 Rue de Grenelle.
  • 9 Aug RB, Pen, RB, Sr., and Sarianna travel to Tours.
  • 10 Aug The party travels to Ste. Marie via Nantes, lodging once again in the house of the mayor, René Laraison.
  • 17 Aug RB writes a poem of “120 lines,” probably “Gold Hair.”
  • 3 Oct RB, Pen, RB, Sr., and Sarianna travel from Ste. Marie to Paris.
  • ca. 10 Oct RB and Pen return to London.

National Endowment for the Humanities - Logo

Editorial work on The Brownings’ Correspondence is supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

This website was last updated on 3-19-2024.

Copyright © 2024 Wedgestone Press. All rights reserved.

Back To Top