Christina Rossetti

Biography

Christina Rossetti was born in London, England, to Gabriele Rossetti, an Italian poet and political exile, and Frances Polidori. Growing up in a literary and artistic family deeply influenced by poetry and intellectual thought, Christina was immersed in the world of literature from an early age. Her father’s background and her siblings' involvement in the arts (her brother Dante Gabriel Rossetti was a key figure in the Pre-Raphaelite movement) contributed to shaping her worldview.

Rossetti’s education was mostly informal, though she showed remarkable literary talent early on. She began writing poetry as a child, inspired by her family’s literary environment. Her later works reveal her sharp intellect, her religious convictions, and her exploration of Victorian themes like love, death, faith, and moral responsibility.

Early Life & Education

Christina Rossetti’s upbringing was deeply literary. Her father was a well-known writer and a translator, and her brother Dante Gabriel Rossetti became one of the most important Pre-Raphaelite artists. Christina herself grew up in an environment where intellectual pursuits and art were celebrated, allowing her to immerse herself in reading and writing.

Her early education was mainly at home, and it was during these years that she began to develop her distinctive poetic voice. Her reading and early literary influences exposed her to religious poetry, Romanticism, and the works of Shakespeare and other great writers of her time. This foundation laid the groundwork for her future as a professional writer.

Career and Literary Contributions

Christina Rossetti's literary career spanned much of the mid-to-late 19th century. Her writing included religious poetry, romantic verse, and explorations of moral and social themes. She published her first poems in the 1840s and became widely known in the 1850s. Her works combined personal reflections, moral musings, and spiritual themes, showcasing her lyrical skill and intellectual depth.

Debut and Early Recognition

Rossetti's first collection of poems, Goblin Market and Other Poems (1862), was met with critical acclaim and cemented her position as one of the leading voices of Victorian poetry. Her works during this period focused on themes of temptation, morality, and redemption, blending vivid imagery with thoughtful religious undertones.

Major Works

Christina Rossetti’s poetry is known for its exploration of religious themes, romantic longing, suffering, and feminist undertones. Below are some of her most notable works:

Goblin Market and Other Poems (1862)
This is one of Rossetti’s most famous works and includes the well-known poem Goblin Market. The poem examines themes of temptation, sisterhood, and redemption, symbolically reflecting moral choices and female empowerment.

The Prince’s Progress and Other Poems (1866)
Another pivotal work that explores themes of love, longing, and Victorian ideals of duty and social responsibility.

A Birthday (1857)
This short, lyrical poem exemplifies Rossetti’s ability to write romantic poetry with emotional intensity and simplicity. It remains one of her most celebrated works.

Remember (1849)
An exploration of grief, memory, and death, Remember is a deeply personal yet universally resonant poem. It reflects her reflections on parting and the desire to be remembered.

The Face of the Deep

This was Rossetti’s major religious writing, with a strong focus on her faith, reflections on spirituality, and commentary on Christian beliefs.

Her body of work reveals not only her poetic talent but her ability to shift effortlessly between various themes and styles—romantic, religious, and symbolic.

Personal Life and Challenges

Rossetti’s life was marked by both personal health struggles and faith. She suffered from numerous health issues throughout her life, and her religious beliefs often brought her both strength and suffering. Despite these personal challenges, Rossetti continued to write with grace and intellectual rigor.

She also faced challenges within the publishing industry of her time, often navigating gender bias in a predominantly male literary landscape. Nevertheless, she maintained her focus on poetry and continued to shape her literary voice through her faith and reflections on society.