Emily Dickinson: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies,)

Using updated scholarship and never before published primary research, this new biography peels away the myths surrounding Emily Dickinson and takes a fresh look at the complex and busy life of this genius of American letters. As a research tool, the volume is also useful for its explanation of current nomenclature for the poems, mysteries and controversies, and the poet's influence on American poetry and culture.

Emily Dickinson saw fewer than a dozen of her poems published in her lifetime, but she has since become one of the most revered and beloved of all American poets. As a shy woman living in 19th century New England, Dickinson wrote about large subjects through close observation of small, everyday details. After her death, her sister found more than 1,775 poems and solicited help in seeing them into print. Dickinson preferred to live most of her life at home among those she loved, but over time, some of the more unusual facts of her life became mythologized and distorted. Using updated scholarship and never before published primary research, this new biography peels away the myths surrounding Emily Dickinson and takes a fresh look at the complex and busy life of this genius of American letters.

As a research tool, the volume is also useful for its explanation of current nomenclature for the poems, mysteries and controversies, and the poet's influence on American poetry and culture. A chronology is set alongside significant historical and cultural events of the period. Also included are locations of major holdings for Dickinson study, a listing of poems published in her lifetime, and a full bibliography of primary and secondary sources.

In a biography accessible to high school and undergraduate students, Kirk (English, Mansfield U., Pennsylvania), offers an account of Dickinson's life (1830-86) that sorts out realities from myths about the poet's life. Auxiliary material includes a historical timeline, list of the few poems published in her lifetime, index of first lines, key holdings in Dickinson studies, Web sites, and photos. A portion of the book's proceeds go toward preserving the Dickinson family homes in Amherst, MA.
Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Using updated scholarship and never-before-published primary research, this new biography takes a fresh look at a genius of American letters.

A fresh personal introduction to one of America's most prolific and beloved poets.

CONNIE ANN KIRK is an author and independent scholar specializing in American and children's literature and the poet, Emily Dickinson. Her books from Greenwood Press include: J.K. Rowling: A Biography, Emily Dickinson: A Biography

Preface

Introduction

Ancestry, Early Life, and Family

Education, Religion, and Early Friendships

"For Occupation -This -": The Poet at Home

"Her Travels Daily Be": Traveling Near and Far

A Poets Reading

The "Flood" Years and the Civil War

To Print or Publish?

Later Years, Last Days

The Fluid Text and the Problem of Editing

Mysteries and Controversies

"An Amethyst Remembrance": Dickinson's Reception and Legacy

Appendix A: Chronology and Historical Context Timeline

Appendix B: Family Tree

Appendix C: List of Poems Published in the Poet's Lifetime

Appendix D: Index of First Lines of Emily Dickinson Poems

Appendix E: Selected Reading of Emily Dickinson

Appendix F: Important Places and Holdings in Dickinson Studies

Bibliography