Emily Dickinson, Poet, Amherst MA
Of the thousand thoughtful, sensitive poems she wrote after going into seclusion, only seven were published during her lifetime, yet she is now among America's most beloved poets.
Poet Emily Dickinson (1830-1886).
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was among America's most perceptive and sensitive poets.
Born in Amherst, Massachusetts, she was raised in almost Puritan surroundings by her wealthy lawyer father.
After visiting Philadelphia and Washington with her father (now a congressman) at age 23, she withdrew from public view to the family home and lived the rest of her life in near seclusion.
"The Belle of Amherst," as she is now called, retired to her room and wrote. And wrote. And wrote, becoming world famous only after her death.
You can visit her house, the Dickinson Homestead, in Amherst MA.
Further reading...