Elizabeth Barrett Browning

A carte-de-visite portrait of the English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861). A caption printed recto in the lower margin identifies the sitter as Mrs Elizabeth Barrett Browning / copied from a Daguerreotype / by permission of / Robert Browning Esq.

Elizabeth Moulton-Barrett was born in 1806 near Durham. As a child, she fell from her pony and injured her spine, and was subsequently treated by her tyrannical father as a confirmed invalid. In 1844 she published Poems (including ‘The Cry of the Children’), which led to her friendship with Robert Browning and their secret marriage in 1846.

Freed from her father’s oppressive influence, and with her health improved, she wrote strong verse about social injustice and oppression in nineteenth century England.

Produced, after a Daguerreotype, by Elliott and Fry of 55, Baker Street, London.