Emily Dickinson has captivated this nation in lifeand death. With her words and poetic but reclusenature Emily's life and poetry has inspired and intrigue many.
In learning and in life poetry has offered motion and emotion to the world. Whether it's the lyrics to a good love song or a subtle impression left on a blank page; poetry is the movement of expression. Many great poets have etched the minds and hearts of America however none have offered this nation the illumination and intrigue like that of the Emily Dickinson. Born December 10, 1830 Emily Elizabeth Dickinson entered this world gracing this nation with her beauty.
On May 6, 1828 Edward Dickinson promised Emily Norcross as they entered into marriage "a life of rational happiness". Prior to receiving his law degree from Yale University Edward attended the Amherst Academy. A leading attorney Edward was admitted to the bar in 1826 and set up his practice in downtown Amherst. Edward's activity in community associations offered a generous flow of recognized acquaintances. His daughter Emily once wrote about him that, "He buys me many books but begs me not to read them because he fears they joggle the mind." Edward passed away in 1874.
Emily Norcross Dickinson to whom which her daughter was named was raised in Monson Massachusetts. Though there is not much recognized about her life she was the third of nine children and was legendary for her award winning cooking and extraordinary produce. Emily Norcross was also an active member of the Amherst community. Before her death in 1882 Emily Norcross became bed ridden and was nurtured by her two daughters Emily and Lavinia. About her mother Emily Dickinson once said, "Mother does not care for thought."
Emily spent nearly her entire life in her father's house in Amherst. One trip to Washington, D.C. in the late1850's and a few trips to Boston for eye treatments in the early 60's account for some of the time she wandered from her family home. From 1840 - 1847 she attended the Amherst Academy and in 1847 - 1848 she spent a year at Mount Holyoke Seminary.
Although Emily Dickinson is well known for the recluse life she lead there are cases in which relationships were developed and maintained. Thomas Wentworth Higginson, poetry editor for the Atlantic Monthly, was considered her scholar and mentor. Emily introduced herself to Higginson in 1862 when she submitted a poem to the editorial "Letters of a Young Contributor". It was Higginson's suggestion of improvement towards Emily's unrefined genius that influenced the fact that only as few as ten of Emily's poems were published while she was alive. Emily and Thomas maintained their relationship until the time of her death. Thomas Higginson was influential in the publishing of Emily's first book in 1890, "Poems of Emily Dickinson".
Samuel Bowles is another significant figure in Emily's life. Some biographers believe that this hansom and energetic married man was the love in Emily's heart. Bowles was a frequent visitor to the "Evergreens Estate" home of Emily's brother Austin and his wife Susan, Emily's biographer. Emily met Samuel in the late 1850's and became very fond of him. Bowles worked for his father's very influential newspaper and was known to be quick, subtle, magnetic and charming. Bowles printed a few of Emily's poems in the Western Massachusetts paper that were submitted by Susan Dickinson without Emily's consent.
Emily became recluse in her mid twenties. Even before she had withdrawn from society she wrote poetry. It is said her creative peak was between the years of 1858 - 1862. Though it wasn't uncommon for Emily to suddenly disappear into the woodwork of her family's home when visitors and friends of the family came calling it is said she spent a great deal of time with the communities children. Emily's fondness for the children was often expressed through her kindness when she would bake gingerbread and other goodies to lower down to them from her window in a basket. Emily often baked the family's bread and was known as the caretaker of the conservatory and garden.
After Emily's death in 1886 her sister Lavinia Dickinson discovered more than 1,000 poems and poetic letters amongst her things. Almost 1,800 of Emily Dickinson's poems can be read through published works today. To include are the 1955 three-volume collection, "The Poems of Emily Dickinson", the 1958 three-volume collection, "The Letters of Emily Dickinson", and the 1981 two- volume collection "The Manuscript Books of Emily Dickinson."
Recently biographers have discovered that Emily carried a close personal relationship with her brother Austin's wife Susan. It is believed that Susan played an important role in Emily's life through the approximately 400 letters and poems she had sent to Susan over the years. The 1998 publication "Open Me Carefully: Emily Dickinson's Intimate Letters to Susan Huntington Dickinson", offers the personal insight to the two woman's relationship.
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson Died on May 15, 1886 from Brights disease. Among her friends and loved ones Thomas Wentworth Higginson attended her burial. Many of her feeling about her family and herself were recorded in the letters she had written to Higginson leaving some of the only clues about her mysterious existence. Though recluse she carried a very social and fulfilled life. Before she began to withdraw she lived normally with friendships, social events, church gatherings and household functions. No one can be certain why Emily removed herself from society and locked herself away in the Amherst home but she has left the world with the beauty of her words and the mysteries of her life.
