Tennyson and his friends

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

38420

Title

Tennyson and his friends

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A tribute volume edited by Lord Tennyson, this collection gathers intimate recollections from the poet's closest friends, family, and contemporaries. Offering a deeply personal portrait of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, it explores his life in Lincolnshire and Cambridge, his relationships with figures like Arthur Hallam and Edward FitzGerald, and his enduring legacy as the Poet Laureate.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled by Hallam, Lord Tennyson, 'Tennyson and his Friends' stands as a comprehensive memorial to his father, the renowned Poet Laureate. Structured as a series of essays and letters from those who knew him best, the volume chronicles Alfred Tennyson's life from his early years in Horncastle to his final days at Farringford. The narrative opens with poignant recollections from Emily, Lady Tennyson, detailing her childhood, her father's devotion to his family, and the profound impact of her mother's tragic death. The text then explores the Lincolnshire landscape that shaped Tennyson's nature poetry, as described by Willingham Rawnsley, and details his university friendships, particularly the grief following the death of Arthur Hallam, which deeply influenced his masterpiece, 'In Memoriam'. Subsequent chapters feature contributions from distinguished figures including Edward FitzGerald, Thomas Carlyle, and W. G. Ward, offering insights into Tennyson's conversations, his evolving views on science and religion, and his interactions with literary giants like Thackeray and Dickens. The volume highlights his classical education, his mastery of blank verse, and his unique ability to blend romantic sentiment with classical form. It addresses his later years, his deepening faith, and the universal appeal of his poetry, which resonated with the public for nearly sixty years. The text concludes with reflections on his death and the universal sympathy he received, cementing his status as a central figure in English literature. Through these diverse voices, the book illustrates how Tennyson's genius flowered in a time of artistic revival, maintaining the apostolic succession of English poets and revealing the significance of beauty to his contemporaries. His work is portrayed not merely as personal expression but as the cry of the whole human race, transfiguring intense emotion into art that speaks to the spiritual needs of the age.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/38420.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg38420.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-08-14 19:12 UTC

Categories

• Biography
• Literature