Robert and Elizabeth Browning Love Story

Robert and Elizabeth Browning are our resident poet lovers on our Famous Love Story page. In 1845 Elizabeth had published a new work of poetry which was widely praised. Mr. Robert Browning, another well known poet of the time, took notice of her work and began to correspond with her through letters. Eventually, they decided to meet.

Of course the two ended up falling in love. They met in secret for a long time. Eventually, their love for one another was made known and Elizabeth's father opposed the idea of their union. In fact, he did not want any of his children to be married. So what did they do next? Of course they left the country and eloped. Together they moved to Italy as Mr. And Mrs. Browning.

Elizabeth Browning had always suffered from delicate health. She developed illness easily, had frequent respiratory infections and was sick for most of her life. However, after getting married and moving to Italy with her new found love, she gained strength and stamina. Was it the love which miraculously cured her physical disposition?

Before she became married and during her courtship with Robert, she began a series of sonnets, her most popular work yet. The sonnets were about her relationship with Robert and her love for him. She didn't show him the work at all until three years after they were married. The Work was entitled Sonnets from the Portuguese. Little did anyone know was that the term "Portuguese" was the pet name which Robert fondly addressed her as. And I am sure you have all heard the phrase, “How do I Love Thee....” This particularly romantic phrase came from one of her sonnets.

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