Alfred, Lord Tennyson

During middle age, he became the most famous During middle age, he became the most famous and celebrated poet of Victorian England. and celebrated poet of Victorian England. He became Poet Laureate in He was made a baron (hence the title “lord”) by Queen Victoria in 1884, the first for a writer. He became Poet Laureate in He was made a baron (hence the title “lord”) by Queen Victoria in 1884, the first for a writer.

One of the greatest influences on Tennyson’s life was his closest friend, Arthur Henry Hallam, who was supposed to marry Tennyson’s sister Emily. Unfortunately, he died while traveling with Tennyson (age 24) before the marriage could take place. One of the greatest influences on Tennyson’s life was his closest friend, Arthur Henry Hallam, who was supposed to marry Tennyson’s sister Emily. Unfortunately, he died while traveling with Tennyson (age 24) before the marriage could take place. Arthur Henry Hallam

Over a ten-year period, Tennyson wrote a series of over 100 poems dedicated to A.H.H., which he published under the title In Memoriam, A.H.H. Over a ten-year period, Tennyson wrote a series of over 100 poems dedicated to A.H.H., which he published under the title In Memoriam, A.H.H.

Tennyson’s poems do not fall into just one tradition. His works included themes in the following: 1. Lyric poetry: Influenced by Romantics like Byron. These early poems demonstrated his ability to link the external scenery to interior states of mind. He often used physical nature to describe what was going on in the minds of his subjects.

2. Medieval subjects: He was fascinated by the medieval period which is reflected in poems like “Idylls of the King” and “The Lady of Shalott.” “The Lady of Shalott”

3. Mythology: Tennyson explored the mythological past in poems like “Ulysses” and “The Lotus-Eaters.”

4. Personal issues: Over 100 of Tennyson’s poems are dedicated to his lost friend A.H.H. in In Memoriam. 5. Science: Tennyson explored evolution and geological time in an attempt to explain how science and religious faith can coexist often concluding that we must keep our faith despite the latest scientific discoveries.

6. Women’s rights: In “The Princess” he discusses the relationship between the sexes and argues for the rights of women in higher education.

7. Political activity: Some of his poetry, like “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” speaks out on political topics.

Tennyson died on 6 October 1892, aged 83. He was buried at Westminster Abbey. A memorial was erected in All Saints’ Church, Freshwater. His last words were, "Oh that press will have me now!" Tennyson died on 6 October 1892, aged 83. He was buried at Westminster Abbey. A memorial was erected in All Saints’ Church, Freshwater. His last words were, "Oh that press will have me now!" Tennyson’s Memorial All Saints’ Church, Freshwater