Alfred, Lord TennysonBy Matty Mortimer

Tennyson was born in Somersby, Lincolnshire, England, into a middle class family on the 6th of August 1809. The family did however have noble and royal ancestry. He came from a religious family, his father a vicar and his mother the daughter of one.

Early life

Tennyson and two of his elder brothers were writing poetry in their teens, and a collection of poems by all three was published locally when Alfred was only 17. These brothers were Charles and Frederick Tennyson. Another of Tennyson's brothers, Edward Tennyson, was institutionalised at a private asylum.

First poetry

Tennyson attended many schools and colleges. He was first a student of Louth Grammar School, then attended Scaitcliffe School, Englefield Green and King Edward VI Grammar School, Louth. He entered Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1827, where he joined a secret society called the Cambridge Apostles.

Education

At the Cambridge Apostles Tennyson met Arthur Henry Hallam. Hallam very quickly became his best friend. Tennyson also made his first publication, ‘Poems by two brothers’, which included some of his brother Charles’ poetry also.

Cambridge

Tennyson’s poetry began to rise in popularity and he started to gain more recognition. In 1829, Tennyson was awarded the Chancellor's Gold Medal at Cambridge for one of his first pieces, ‘Timbuctoo’. He then published his first solo collection of poems, ’Poems Chiefly Lyrical’ in 1830. This collection included ‘Claribel’ and ‘Mariana’, which later took their place among Tennyson's most celebrated poems.

Accolades

In the spring of 1831, Tennyson's father passed away, meaning he had to leave Cambridge before taking his degree. He returned to his home in Somersby. He shared responsibility for his mother and the rest of his family. Hallam also came to stay with Tennyson’s family during the summer and became engaged to Tennyson's sister, Emilia.

Back at home

In 1833 Tennyson published his second book of poetry, which included the very well known poem, ‘The Lady of Shalott’. The publishing met heavy criticism, which discouraged Tennyson to the point that he did not publish again for ten years. He did, however, continue to write poetry.

Second Publishing

The same year as his second publication, Tennyson’s best friend Hallam died suddenly and unexpectedly while on vacation in Vienna. The cause of death was believed to be a cerebral haemorrhage. Hallam's death had a huge impact on Tennyson, and inspired several of his most famous works including ‘In the Valley of Cauteretz’ and ’In Memoriam A.H.H’.

Tragedy

In around 1837 Tennyson and his family moved to High Beach, Essex, leaving again in 1840. An unwise investment in an ecclesiastical wood-carving enterprise sadly led to the loss of much of the family fortune. Tennyson then moved to London, and lived for a while at Chapel House, Twickenham.

Moving Away

In 1842 while living in London, Tennyson published two volumes of poems. The first included works already published and the second was made up almost entirely of completely new poetry. The publications gained immediate success. Poems from this collection, such as ‘Locksley Hall’ and ‘Ulysses’ are now known as some of his most famous works.

Third Publication

Tennyson was appointed the position of Poet Laureate in 1850. People such as Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Leigh Hunt were considered for the title, but Tennyson won it. He held the position until his own death in 1892, by far the longest span of any laureate before or since.

Poet Laureate

Prince Albert is regarded as responsible for Tennyson's appointment as Laureate. After Alberts death, Queen Victoria wrote in her diary that she was "much soothed & pleased" by reading In Memoriam A.H.H. Upon first meeting Tennyson, Queen Victoria described him as  "very peculiar looking, tall, dark, with a fine head, long black flowing hair & a beard, - oddly dressed, but there is no affectation about him."

Tennyson & Her Majesty

Tennyson continued writing even into his eighties. He died on 6 October 1892 at Aldworth, aged 83, a very old age for someone of that time period. He was laid to rest at Westminster Abbey. His last words were: "Oh that press will have me now!". He left an estate of £57,206. Tennyson’s son Hallam produced an authorised biography of his father in 1897, and was later the second Governor-General of Australia.

Later Life