Robert Browning 1812- 1889

Born in London, son of a well to do bank clerk, Robert Browning was raised amid a literary and artistic background. He excelled in languages and composed music but, as an avowed atheist, could not attend university. He met and married the reclusive Elizabeth Barrett and moved with her to Pisa and thence to Florence.

He moved to London after Elizabeth's death and became a noted member of the literary scene gaining recognition with his The Ring and the Book. He is acknowledged as a leading lyrical poet of the age writing several other lengthy works as well as numerous shorter works.

He continued writing until his death in 1889 and was honoured by his subsequent burial in Westminster Abbey.