Jean Ingelow

Date of Birth: March 17, 1820

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: July 20, 1897

Biography

Jean Ingelow was a prominent English poet and novelist of the Victorian era, celebrated for her engaging verse and prose that captured the imagination of readers during her time. Born in Ipswich, Suffolk, Ingelow was the daughter of a banker, William Ingelow. She was educated at home and developed an early interest in literature, which was nurtured by her family’s literary surroundings. Ingelow published her first collection of poems anonymously in 1850, but it was her 1863 book “Poems” that brought her widespread acclaim and recognition. The book included her most famous poem, “The High Tide on the Coast of Lincolnshire, 1571.” Her work was known for its emotional depth, vivid imagery, and exploration of themes such as nature, love, and spirituality. Besides poetry, she also wrote novels and children’s stories, with notable works including “Off the Skelligs” and “Mopsa the Fairy.” Ingelow never married and spent much of her life in London, where she was part of a vibrant literary circle. She continued to write until her later years, leaving behind a legacy that influences poets and writers to this day.

5 Interesting Facts about Jean Ingelow

1. Jean Ingelow’s poem “The High Tide on the Coast of Lincolnshire, 1571” was a favorite of Queen Victoria.

2. She was a contemporary and friend of other well-known Victorian writers, including Alfred Lord Tennyson and Christina Rossetti.

3. Ingelow’s works were not only popular in England but also in the United States, where her books sold in large numbers.

4. Despite her success in literature, Ingelow was known for her modest lifestyle and charitable works.

5. Her poetry collection “Poems” (1863) went through multiple editions, reflecting its popularity during her lifetime.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jean Ingelow

1. “A healthful hunger for a great idea is the beauty and blessedness of life.”

2. “I have lived to thank God that all my prayers have not been answered.”

3. “And if I should live to be the last leaf upon the tree in the spring, let them smile, as I do now, at the old forsaken bough where I cling.”

4. “I slept, and dreamed that life was beauty; I woke, and found that life was duty.”

5. “Art is the effort of man to express the ideas which nature suggests to him of a power above nature, whether that power be within the recesses of his own being, or in the Great First Cause of all things.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jean Ingelow’s highest net worth is not well-documented in historical records. However, her literary success and popularity suggest she was financially comfortable, especially given the high sales of her books in both the UK and the US.