Adela Florence Nicolson

Date of Birth: April 9, 1865

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: October 4, 1904

Biography

Adela Florence Nicolson, born Adela Florence Cory, was a British poet known for her evocative and sensuous verse, which she published under the pseudonym Laurence Hope. Born into a literary family, she was the daughter of Fanny Elizabeth Fitz-Edward and Arthur Cory, who edited The Englishman, a prominent newspaper in India. Her poetry often drew on her experiences in British India and was characterized by its passionate and exotic themes. She married Colonel Malcolm Hassels Nicolson of the Bengal Army in 1889 and traveled extensively across the Indian subcontinent. Her most notable work, “The Garden of Kama,” was published in 1901 and received significant acclaim for its lyrical beauty and exploration of love and longing. Sadly, Nicolson’s life was marred by personal tragedy. After the death of her husband, she fell into a deep depression and took her own life in 1904. Despite her brief career, Adela Florence Nicolson’s poetry remains influential, celebrated for its emotional depth and vivid imagery.

5 Interesting Facts about Adela Florence Nicolson

1. Adela Florence Nicolson published her poetry under the male pseudonym Laurence Hope.

2. Her work was heavily influenced by Indian culture and landscapes, which she encountered during her years in British India.

3. “The Garden of Kama” was her most famous work and included poems that were said to be translations of Indian poets, though they were her original creations.

4. She was married to Colonel Malcolm Hassels Nicolson, who was significantly older than she was.

5. Despite her literary success, she struggled with deep personal sorrow and depression, leading to her untimely death.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Adela Florence Nicolson

1. “Pale hands I loved beside the Shalimar, where are you now? Who lies beneath your spell?”

2. “Love, like a bird, hath perched upon a spray, for thee and me to hearken what he sings.”

3. “The world is bitter as a tear, and time is as a sword.”

4. “How should I show in my little day, that the world goes up and the world goes down?”

5. “Dead leaves in the garden, dead petals on the grass, how frail the rose-tree’s beauty, how swiftly all things pass.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Adela Florence Nicolson did not achieve significant financial wealth from her poetry, and there are no records of her net worth. Her value lies more in her literary contributions than in financial terms.