Essential English: Writer Factsheet 'Alfred Lord Tennyson'

By Gemma Louise Bull

Born: 6th August 1809

Place of Birth: Somersby, Lincolnshire

Famous Residence: Farringford House, Isle of Wight

Awards and Recognition: Poet Laureate 1850-1892

Died: 6th October 1892

Education

• Tennyson attended a grammar school in Lincolnshire from 1816-1820.

• From 1827, Tennyson studied English at Trinity College, Cambridge.

• He joined the Apostoles Club, an intellectual society where he shared and discussed his poetry with his peers.

• In 1829, Tennyson was presented with the prestigious Chancellor’s Gold Medal Award for one of his first poems, ‘Timbuktu’.

• Tennyson’s father died in 1829, requiring him to leave Cambridge before completing his degree.

Writing Career

• Tennyson published his first collection of poems in 1830. Poems such as ‘Claribel’ and ‘Mariana’ were included in the book.

• In 1833, Tennyson published his second book of poetry which included one of his most famous poems, ‘The Lady of Shalott’.

• However, owing to the negative reaction to his second collection – and the untimely death of his close friend – Tennyson continued writing but did not publish another collection until 1842.

• Tennyson’s third collection ‘Poems’ was met with immediate success and critical acclaim, cementing him as one of the best poets of his generation.

• In 1850, he published his magnum opus, ‘In Memoriam A.H.H.’ Later the same year, he was appointed Poet Laureate, inheriting the position from William Wordsworth.

Farringford House

Farringford House, on the Isle of Wight, was the home of Alfred Tennyson from 1853-1892 (his death). Initially, Tennyson rented the property, eventually buying the house in 1856.

Apparently inspired by John Keat’s writing on the Isle of Wight, Tennyson decided to find a home on the Isle of Wight with his wife –Emily – and his son, Hallam. In March 1854, Tennyson welcomed a second son, Lionel.

Unlike many middle-class Victorian men, Tennyson was warm and affectionate with his children, spending time with them playing football and shuttlecock, building forts, reading, and playing musical instruments.

Interested in education, Tennyson utilised the stunning landscapes of the Isle of Wight to teach his sons about natural history alongside English Literature, Classics and Mathematics.

Today, Farringford House can be visited from May to September for pre-booked tours of the house and gardens. Tennyson’s original rooms, books, and furniture can be viewed, and a wealth of information about his life and work is provided throughout the tour.

For more information about Farringford House, visit https://farringford.co.uk/

Famous Work

• ‘The Lady of Shallot’ is a lyrical ballad that tells the story of a young medieval woman held captive near Camelot. Imprisoned by a curse, the Lady of Shalott must never leave or look out the window of the tower without serious repercussions. Instead, she weaves and sings, watching people in the reflection of her mirror.

• ‘In Memoriam A.H.H.’, a narrative poem, is an extraordinary 2,916 lines long. The poem explores Tennyson’s grief over the loss of his friend, Arthur Henry Hallam, the A.H.H. included in the title. The most famous line from the poem – ‘It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all’ – has become a well-known proverb, providing wisdom and advice in the tricky adventures of love and life.

• ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ tells the story of a disastrous cavalry charge at the Battle of Balaklava during the Crimean War. Having been given incorrect orders, the brigade is sent in the wrong direction, leading them straight into the path of fortified Russian troops.

To complete a set of comprehension questions on ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ with your child, check out Comprehension 1: Alfred, Lord Tennyson.