Author: Baron Tennyson Alfred Tennyson

Alfred Tennyson, 1st Baron Tennyson (1809–1892), remains one of the towering figures in English literature, widely recognized as the chief representative of the Victorian age in poetry. Descended from an old Lincolnshire family, Tennyson was the third of eleven children. He found an escape in writing after his father”s sudden mood swings and the death of his closest friend, Arthur Hallam. These events deeply influenced his poetic sensibility and the melancholic tone frequently found in his works. “In Memoriam A.H.H., ” his tribute to Hallam, illustrates this deep introspective and emotional style and is considered one of his major works. Tennyson succeeded Wordsworth as Poet Laureate in 1850 and held the position until his death, penning many notable pieces, including “The Charge of the Light Brigade, ” a narrative poem commemorating the heroism of British cavalrymen during the Crimean War. “The Last Tournament, ” indicative of his Arthurian fascination, echoes the dissolution and decay of idealism, aligning closely with the doubts and fears of the late Victorian period. Tennyson”s mastery of verse and his use of detailed imagery and alliteration were key elements to his literary style, enabling him to craft evocative descriptions of nature and passionate character portraits. Tennyson”s work withstands the test of time, and his influence continues to be felt in contemporary poetry and beyond.