Facts about Christina Rossetti

  Learn some interesting facts about 

Christina Rossetti.  

 

This week’s famous poet is Christina Rossetti. Last week’s famous poet was Henry David Thoreau. 

To truly appreciate the work of Christina Georgina Rossetti, it is essential to understand the context of her life and the influences that shaped her creativity. Rossetti was a prolific poet, composing over one thousand poems throughout her lifetime, among which are two Christmas carols that have gained recognition and remain popular in Britain today. 

Born in London, England, on December 5, 1830, she was the daughter of Frances Polidori, a talented and educated woman, and Gabriele Rossetti, an Italian poet and artist who immigrated to England. Christina was the youngest of four siblings, including notable figures such as her brother Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who became a prominent painter and poet, and her sister Maria, a skilled artist. The Rossetti household was intellectually stimulating and infused with artistic influences, which played a significant role in shaping Christina's literary development.

Living through the Victorian era, Rossetti's work often reflected the complexities of her personal experiences and societal expectations, particularly in regards to gender roles and spirituality. This rich backdrop of familial support and cultural context profoundly influenced her poetry and prose, contributing to her status as one of the most significant poets of her time.

 

Here is a list of some poems by Christina Rossetti: 

• Remember
• Fluttered Wings
• Echo
• Fata Morgana
• Eve
• A Birthday
• A Chill
• A Daughter of Eve
• When I am Dead, My Dearest

Parents and caretakers, be sure poems are child-friendly before reading them to your child or children.

Interesting facts about Christina Rossetti: 

1. She was born on December 5, 1830, in the bustling city of London, England, a place known for its rich history and cultural diversity during the early 19th century. The city was experiencing significant transformations, marked by the Industrial Revolution, which was reshaping the lives of its inhabitants. As the daughter of a family living in this vibrant metropolis, her early environment would be filled with the sounds and sights of a rapidly changing world.

2. Christina Rossetti, a renowned English poet known for her lyrical and devotional works, lived until the age of 64. She passed away on December 29, 1894, in the bustling city of London, England. Her life came to an end after a prolonged battle with cancer, a disease that had plagued her in her later years. Christina was laid to rest in the family grave located in the serene and historic Highgate Cemetery, a fitting location for a figure of her literary stature and significance. Her legacy continues through her poetry, which remains celebrated for its depth and beauty.

3. The following is one of Christina Rossetti’s poems:

 A Chill

What can lambkins do

All the keen night through?

Nestle by their woolly mother

The careful ewe.

What can nestlings do

In the nightly dew?

Sleep beneath their mother’s wing

Till day breaks anew.

If in a field or tree

There might only be

Such a warm soft sleeping-place

Found for me!

(You can print out a worksheet on this poem. You will fill in the missing words in the poem.) 

4. Christina Rossetti wrote two Christmas carols that are still sung in Britain today. She is best known for these two songs:

• Love Came Down at Christmas
• In the Bleak Midwinter

5. Christina Rossetti received her education primarily at home, guided by her parents' diligent efforts. They curated a diverse curriculum that included a variety of literary works, ranging from novels and religious texts to fairy tales and classical literature. This rich assortment not only fostered her literary skills but also instilled in her a deep appreciation for storytelling and the moral lessons often conveyed through these different genres. The supportive and intellectually stimulating environment created by her family played a crucial role in shaping her poetic voice and literary sensibilities.

6. Here is a list of Christina Rossetti’s siblings:

• Gabriel Charles Dante Rossetti
• William Michael Rossetti
• Maria Francesca Rossetti

7. Christina Rossetti, the renowned Victorian poet, remained single throughout her life, never entering into marriage. Although she experienced a few romantic relationships, none of them ultimately flourished into lasting commitments. As a result of her choices and circumstances, she did not have any children. Rossetti dedicated a significant portion of her time to her writing and artistic pursuits, thereby shaping her legacy as one of the most notable literary figures of her time.

8.  She was among the pioneers in the realm of philately, being one of the first women to take up stamp collecting as a passionate hobby. Her journey into the world of stamps began in 1847, a year that marked a significant moment in postal history with the introduction of adhesive postage stamps. From that point on, she dedicated herself to amassing a diverse collection that not only reflected her keen interest in the art and history of stamps but also showcased her adventurous spirit. Her contributions to the hobby during a time when women were often discouraged from such pursuits made her a remarkable figure in the world of collectors.

9. Under the pen name Ellen Alleyne, she began contributing her poetic works to a literary journal known as The Germ. This publication, which gained prominence in the early 1850s, served as a significant platform for her writings. During this period, she dedicated herself to crafting a range of poems that reflected her artistic vision and thematic interests, marking the beginning of her literary journey and her participation in the vibrant cultural landscape of the time.

 

 

Get your printable Christina Rossetti worksheet here:

Click here 

 

 

Visit my printables section for a wide selection of worksheets and coloring sheets!

 

 

Books by Christina Rossetti: 

1. Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti

2. The Complete Poems by Christina Rossetti

3. Nature Poems by Christina Rossetti

Parents and caregivers, be sure the books you read to your child or children are child-friendly. 

 

Tune in next week to learn some quick facts about Thomas Milton!

"Discover the magic of poetry with the Famous Poets Workbook, available now on Amazon! Click on the book to dive into the world of poetic inspiration and creativity."

 

“Better by far you should forget and smile than that you should remember and be sad.”—Christina Rossetti