Connell Guide: Who was Christina Rossetti?

WHO WAS ROSSETTI?

Overview

A 'significant and enduring poet of the 19th century'

Known author of 'Intriguing, haunting and sometimes troubling lyric poetry'

Published:

Three verse collections,

Two short story collections,

A collection of rhymes for children,

Six works of religious devotional literature

Biography

Born in London, 1830 (7 years before Queen Victoria came to power)

Parents were:

Gabriele Rossetti- Italian immigrant who worked as a scholar and taught Italian

Frances Polidori- The daughter of an Italian father and English mother whom also worked as a teacher

Siblings were:

Maria

William Michael- editor and critic

Dante Gabriel- artist and poet

Her brothers founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood

- an association of artists and writers                                                 …