Alfred Lord Tennyson

Date of Birth: August 6, 1809

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: October 6, 1892

Biography

Alfred Lord Tennyson was one of the most popular British poets of the Victorian era. Born in 1809 in Somersby, Lincolnshire, he was the fourth of twelve children in a family that struggled with financial issues and mental health problems. Tennyson attended Trinity College, Cambridge, where he became part of a literary group called the Apostles. His early works garnered critical acclaim, but it wasn’t until the publication of “In Memoriam A.H.H.” in 1850, a tribute to his late friend Arthur Hallam, that he achieved widespread fame. Tennyson was appointed Poet Laureate in 1850, succeeding William Wordsworth. His works, such as “The Charge of the Light Brigade” and “Ulysses,” reflect both the grandeur and the anxieties of the Victorian era. He continued to write and publish until his death in 1892.

5 Interesting Facts about Alfred Lord Tennyson

1. Alfred Lord Tennyson was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom for over 40 years, the longest tenure in British history.

2. He was a close friend of Queen Victoria, who admired his work and sought his advice on various matters.

3. Tennyson’s poem “The Charge of the Light Brigade” was based on the real-life Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War.

4. His poem “In Memoriam A.H.H.” is a poignant elegy for his friend Arthur Hallam, who died suddenly at a young age.

5. Tennyson’s home, Farringford House on the Isle of Wight, became a literary pilgrimage site during his lifetime.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Alfred Lord Tennyson

1. “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”

2. “Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die.”

3. “Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier.’”

4. “Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers.”

5. “I am a part of all that I have met.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Alfred Lord Tennyson’s net worth was estimated to be approximately £10,000, which is roughly equivalent to £1,000,000 today (adjusted for inflation).

Children

Alfred Lord Tennyson had two sons with his wife, Emily Sellwood: 1. Hallam Tennyson, 2nd Baron Tennyson (1852–1928) – He served as the second Governor-General of Australia. 2. Lionel Tennyson (1854–1886) – He tragically died of malaria while traveling.