Anne Bradstreet
Anne Bradstreet
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Anne Bradstreet was born as Anne Dudley on March 20, 1612, in Northampton, England. She is often referred to by her married name after she moved to the American colonies.
Birth and Death Dates
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March 20, 1612 – September 16, 1672
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Anne Bradstreet was an English-American poet, one of the first writers in America. She is best known for her collection of poetry, "The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America," which showcased her mastery of poetic forms.
Early Life
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Growing up in a family that valued education and literature, Anne Bradstreet was educated at home by her father, who encouraged her love of reading and writing. She met her future husband, Simon Bradstreet, while on a visit to the American colonies, where he served as governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Major Accomplishments
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In 1630, Anne Bradstreet and her family moved to Boston, Massachusetts, in search of better economic opportunities. During this time, she began writing poetry as a way to cope with the challenges of living in the New World. Her work was influenced by classical European literature and reflected her experiences as an immigrant woman.
Notable Works or Actions
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Anne Bradstreet's most notable collection is "The Tenth Muse Lately Sprung Up in America," which includes 108 poems that showcase her mastery of poetic forms. The collection covers a range of themes, including love, nature, and the challenges faced by women in the American colonies.
Some of her most famous poems include:
"Upon the Burning of Our House": A powerful reflection on loss and resilience
"To My Dear and Loving Husband": A romantic poem that celebrates the joy of marriage
* "In Memory of My Dear Grandchild Elizabeth Bradstreet, Who Departed This Life July 27. Anno Domini 1665": A poignant tribute to her granddaughter who passed away at a young age
Impact and Legacy
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Anne Bradstreet's poetry has left an indelible mark on American literature. She is considered one of the first female poets in America, paving the way for future generations of women writers.
Her work also provides a unique perspective on life in the 17th-century American colonies, shedding light on the challenges faced by women and immigrants during this time period.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Anne Bradstreet's poetry continues to be widely read and studied today due to its powerful themes and vivid imagery. Her work is often quoted for its insight into the human experience, providing readers with a deeper understanding of love, loss, and resilience.
Her legacy as a pioneering female poet has inspired countless writers and artists throughout history.
Quotes by Anne Bradstreet
As a weary pilgrim, now at rest, / Hugs with delight his silent nest / His wasted limbs, now lye full soft / That myrie steps, haue troden oft.
If ever two were one, then surely we. / If ever man were loved by wife, then thee; / If ever wife was happy in a man, / Compare with me ye women if you can.
Once in Massachusetts, in a society coarsened by hardship and meagre in consolations, any religious doubt must at times have made everything seem dubious.
Tenth of the first, sol into Aries enters and bids defiance to all tedious winters.
I, like the Earth this season, mourn in black, / My Sun is gone so far in's zodiac, / Whom whilst I 'joyed, nor storms, nor frost I felt, / His warmth such fridged colds did cause to melt. / My chilled limbs now numbed lie forlorn; / Return; return, sweet Sol, from Capricorn; / In this dead time, alas, what can I more / Than view those fruits which through thy heart I bore?
If ever two were one, then surely we. / If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee. / If ever wife was happy in a man, / Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
Iron till it be thoroughly heated is incapable to be wrought; so God sees good to cast some men into the furnace of affliction, and then beats them on his anvil into what frame he pleases.