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Last edited by Tom Morris
February 12, 2024 | History
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Alfred Lord Tennyson

Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson, FRS, much better known as "Alfred, Lord Tennyson," was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom during much of Queen Victoria's reign and remains one of the most popular poets in the English language.

Tennyson excelled at penning short lyrics, "In the valley of Cauteretz", "Break, Break, Break", "The Charge of the Light Brigade", "Tears, Idle Tears" and "Crossing the Bar". Much of his verse was based on classical mythological themes, such as Ulysses, although In Memoriam A.H.H. was written to commemorate his best friend Arthur Hallam, a fellow poet and fellow student at Trinity College, Cambridge, who was engaged to Tennyson's sister, but died from a cerebral hemorrhage before they were married. Tennyson also wrote some notable blank verse including Idylls of the King, Ulysses, and Tithonus. During his career, Tennyson attempted drama, but his plays enjoyed little success.

Tennyson wrote a number of phrases that have become commonplaces of the English language, including: "Nature, red in tooth and claw", "'Tis better to have loved and lost / Than never to have loved at all", "Theirs not to reason why, / Theirs but to do and die", "My strength is as the strength of ten, / Because my heart is pure", "Knowledge comes, but Wisdom lingers", and "The old order changeth, yielding place to new". He is the second most frequently quoted writer in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations after Shakespeare.1

Photo of Alfred Lord Tennyson

Born 6 August 1809
Died 6 October 1892

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  • Cover of: A selection from the works of Alfred Tennyson

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  • Cover of: The complete poetical works of Alfred Tennyson

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  • Cover of: Lyrical poems

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  • Cover of: Poetical works of Alfred Lord Tennyson, poet laureate

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Photo of Alfred Lord Tennyson

Born 6 August 1809
Died 6 October 1892

Subjects

Poetry, Poetry (poetic works by one author), Adaptations, Arthurian romances, English poetry, Tennyson, alfred tennyson, baron, 1809-1892, English literature, Illustrations, Knights and knighthood, Drama, English Manuscripts, Criticism and interpretation, Manuscripts, Facsimiles, Fiction, Specimens, Readers (Secondary), Forgeries, Literary forgeries and mystifications, Literature, Mystery and detective stories, detective fiction, American literature, History and criticism, Kings and rulers

Places

England, London, Cambridge, Amazon rainforest, Baker Street, Calcutta, Caribbean, India, Italy, Ship-Trap Island, Surrey, Tibet, Verona, Araby, Araby bazaar, Massachusetts, North Richmond Street, California, Great Britain, New York (State), Austin, Connecticut, Developing countries, France, Lincoln

People

Alfred Tennyson Tennyson Baron (1809-1892), Arthur King, Arthur Henry Hallam (1811-1833), John H. Watson, Sherlock Holmes, Abram, Archie, Balthasar, Benvolio, Duncan Ross, Escalus, Friar John, Friar Lawrence, General Zaroff, Gregory, Grimesby Roylott, Helen Stoner, Ivan, Jabez Wilson, John Clay, Juliet Capulet, Lady Capulet, Lady Montague, Mercutio, Mr. Merryweather

Time

19th century, 1890, 20th century, 1912, Henry II, 1154-1189

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Alternative names

  • Alfred Tennyson
  • Alfred Tennyson Tennyson
  • Tennyson, Alfred Tennyson Baron
  • Tennyson, Alfred Tennyson, Baron
  • Alfred Tennyson, Baron Tennyson
  • Tennyson
  • Lord Alfred Tennyson
  • Tennyson, Alfred Tennyson Baron.
  • Baron Alfred Tennyson Tennyson
  • [Tennyson, Alfred Tennyson Baron,]
  • Tennyson, Alfred Tennyson baron
  • ALFRED TENNYSON
  • Lord Tennyson
  • Lord Alfred, Tennyson
  • Tennnyson, Alfred Tennyson Baron
  • Tennyson, Alfred Baron
  • TENNYSON, Alfred Baron.
  • TENNYSON, ALFRED TENNYSON, BARON, 1809-1892.
  • Lord Tennyson Alfred
  • [Tennyson, Alfred Tennyson Baron]
  • Alfred Tennyson Baron 1809-1 Tennyson
  • Alfred Tennyson Baron Tennyson 1809-1
  • Lord Alfred Tennyson Baron
  • Alfred Tennyson Baron Tennyson
  • Baron Alfred Tennyson
  • Tennyson Alfred
  • Alfred TENNYSON
  • Tennyson A
  • ALFRED LORD TENNYSON
  • A.L. Tennyson

History

Download catalog record: RDF / JSON
February 12, 2024 Edited by Tom Morris Remove bad AKAs
September 13, 2023 Edited by Tom Morris merge authors
September 3, 2023 Edited by David Scotson Added new photo
March 21, 2022 Edited by JeneeWhitney merge authors
April 1, 2008 Created by an anonymous user initial import