Happy Birthday, Emily Dickinson!

I am Nobody! Who are you?

Are you – Nobody – too?

183 years later, I think most people would agree that Emily Dickinson was more than “Nobody.” The poet, born December 10, 1830, lived a quiet, reclusive life. She only published a few poems (and did so anonymously) while she was alive, but is well known for her poems today.

Some interesting facts:

• Her full name was Emily Elizabeth Dickinson (Emily Elizabeth…that name certainly sounds familiar to me!)
• She was born in the family Homestead in Amherst, MA. The house is currently an Emily Dickinson museum!
• Samuel Fowler Dickinson (Emily’s grandfather) was a principal founder of Amherst College.
• She was a middle child – she had an older brother and a younger sister.
• When she was 16, Emily Dickinson studied for a year at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary (now Mount Holyoke College).
• Emily Dickinson produced 1800 poems during her lifetime! 1100 of those were written between the ages of 26 – 35 years old.
• Hobbies included playing the piano and collecting music (Check out this link from the New York Public Library for more info.)
• Her tombstone says “Called Back.” These are the only words written in her last know letter, which she wrote to her cousin.

Which Emily Dickinson poem is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!