Alfred, Lord Tennyson
A Memoir

Valuable for the wealth of documentary evidence it contains, this two-volume work remains the authoritative biography of Alfred, Lord Tennyson.

Hallam Tennyson (Author)

9781108050265, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 June 2012

586 pages, 11 b/w illus.
22.9 x 15.2 x 3.3 cm, 0.85 kg

Hallam Tennyson's biography of his father Alfred, Lord Tennyson, remains the authoritative source of information on the poet's life. Begun after his death in 1892 and published five years later, this two-volume work was produced in order to 'preclude the chance of further and unauthentic biographies', and is formed largely of a wealth of documentary evidence: the letters, journals, and personal reminiscences of the poet and those close to him. Adhering to Tennyson's wishes, on his death his son and wife destroyed over three-quarters of the 40,000 letters he left behind, but those selected and reprinted here nonetheless give a fascinating insight into the personal life of the poet; guarded and respectful in its commemorative tone, but avoiding overzealous eulogy or critical review. Volume 2 continues to the poet's death, and includes short memoirs by many eminent Victorians. Documents include the personal journal of Lady Tennyson, and letters between Tennyson and Queen Victoria.

1. The 'Enoch Arden' volume
2. My mother's journal and my father's letter-diaries
3. Tour in Switzerland
4. 'The Holy Grail', and my mother's journal
5. The Idylls of the King and 'Balin and Balan'
6. My mother's journal, and letters
7. Metaphysical society
8. Historical plays
9. Reminiscences by the Rt Hon. W. E. H. Lecky
10. Aldworth and London
11. Death of Charles Turner
12. Ballads and poems
13. Spedding's death
14. Voyage on the Pembroke Castle
15. Peerage
16. Letters
17. Death of Lionel
18. Society, politics, cruise in the Stella
19. My father's illness
20. 'Demeter and other poems'
21. Old friends and new poems
22. The last year
23. The last chapter
Memoirs by various personages
Epilogue
Appendix
Index.

Subject Areas: Literary studies: c 1800 to c 1900 [DSBF]