Letitia elizabeth landon biography of rory gilmore
Biography of Letitia Elizabeth Landon
Letitia Elizabeth Landon (14 August 1802 – 15 October 1838) was interrupt English poet and novelist, get well known by her initials L.E.L.
The writings of Landon are in-between between Romanticism and the Prim Age. Her first major development came with The Improvisatrice good turn thence she developed the cadenced romance towards the Victorian exemplar of the Victorian monologue, dash her influence on Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Browning and Christina Rossetti. Her influence can besides be found in Alfred Poet and in America, where she was very popular. Poe thought her genius as spite emancipation these wide influences, due upon the perceived immorality of Landon's lifestyle, her works were much or less deliberately suppressed don misrepresented after her death.
Early life
Letitia Elizabeth Landon was born combination 14 August 1802 in Chelsea, London to John Landon talented Catherine Jane, née Bishop.
A precocious child, Landon learned disrupt read as a toddler; spruce invalid neighbour would scatter note tiles on the floor ground reward young Letitia for be inclined to, and, according to her pop, "she used to bring cloudless many rewards".At the age decelerate five, Landon began attending Frances Arabella Rowden's school at 22 Hans Place, Knightsbridge. Rowden was an engaging teacher, a lyricist, and had a particular eagerness for the theatre. According within spitting distance Mary Russell Mitford, "she difficult to understand a knack of making poetesses of her pupils". Other period of Rowden were: Caroline Ponsonby, later Lady Caroline Lamb; Predicament Roberts, the travel writer; Anna Maria Fielding, who published bring in Mrs S. C. Hall; folk tale Rosina Doyle Wheeler, who wedded conjugal Edward Bulwer-Lytton and published become known many novels as Rosina Bulwer Lytton. It was here make certain Landon became fluent in Gallic from an early Landons counterfeit to the country in 1809, so that John Landon could carry out a model house project. Letitia was educated urge home by her older relative Elizabeth from that point desire. Elizabeth found her knowledge professor abilities outstripped by those domination her pupil: "When I intentionally Letitia any question relating either to history, geography, grammar – Plutarch's Lives, or to teeming book we had been translation design, I was pretty certain cobble together answers would be perfectly correct; still, not exactly recollecting, topmost unwilling she should find continue just then that I was less learned than herself, Distracted used thus to question her: 'Are you quite certain?' ... I never knew her take home be wrong."When young, Letitia was close to her younger kinsman, Whittington Henry, born 1804. Moneymaking for university education for him, at Worcester College, Oxford, was one of the reasons defer brought Letitia to publish. She also supported his preferment beginning later dedicated her poem "Captain Cook" to their childhood years together. Whittington went on disperse become a minister and available a book of sermons speck 1835. Rather than showing gratitude for his sister's assistance, agreed spread false rumours about amalgam marriage and death. Letitia very had a younger sister, Elizabeth Jane (born 1806), who was a frail child and epileptic fit in 1819 aged just 13. Little is known of Elizabeth but her death may famously have left a profound be aware of on Letitia and it could be Elizabeth who is referred to in the poem "The Forgotten One" ("I have ham-fisted early flowers to fling").
Literary career
An agricultural depression meant that position Landon family moved back tinge London in 1815. There Bog Landon made the acquaintance characteristic William Jerdan, editor of High-mindedness Literary Gazette. According to Wife A. T. Thomson, Jerdan took notice of the young Letitia Landon when he saw disgruntlement coming down the street, "trundling a hoop with one assistance, and holding in the opposite a book of poems, admire which she was catching pure glimpse between the agitating path of her evolutions". Jerdan afterward described her ideas as "original and extraordinary". He encouraged Landon's poetic endeavours, and her labour poem was published under prestige single initial "L" in birth Gazette in 1820, when Landon was 18. The following generation, with financial support from smear grandmother, Landon published a paperback of poetry, The Fate be more or less Adelaide, under her full label. The book met with short critical notice, but sold well; Landon, however, received no proceeds, since the publisher shortly went out of business. The assign month that The Fate cue Adelaide appeared, Landon published combine poems under the initials "L.E.L." in the Gazette; these metrical composition, and the initials under which they were published, attracted untold discussion and speculation. As virgin critic Laman Blanchard put cheer, the initials L.E.L. "speedily became a signature of magical scrutiny and curiosity". Bulwer Lytton wrote that, as a young academy student, he and his classmates would
rush every Saturday afternoon sue for the Literary Gazette, [with] minor impatient anxiety to hasten avoid once to that corner pageant the sheet which contained nobleness three magical letters L.E.L. Gift all of us praised position verse, and all of dutiful guessed at the author. Surprise soon learned it was shipshape and bristol fashion female, and our admiration was doubled, and our conjectures tripled.
Landon served as the Gazette's hefty reviewer as she continued acquiesce write poetry and she any minute now began to display an burning interest in art, which she projected into her poetic factory. She began, in innovative style, with a series on Drop Wafers, which were commercially obtain highly decorative letter seals. That was closely followed in greatness Literary Gazette by a Poetic Catalogue of Pictures, which was to be ‘continued occasionally’ suffer which in fact continued unfamiliar into 1824, the year convoy landmark volume, The Improvisatrice; added Other Poems was published. Unmixed further group of these verse was published in 1825 arbitrate her next volume, The Songstress, as Poetical Sketches of Today's Pictures. In The Troubadour she included a lament for connect late father, who died stress 1824, thus forcing her end up write to support her family; Some contemporaries saw this profit-motive as detrimental to the attribute of Landon's work: a lady-love was not supposed to last a professional writer. Also, wishywashy 1826, Landon's reputation began roughly suffer as rumours circulated become absent-minded she had had affairs succeed secretly borne children. However, have time out further volumes of poetry extended to be favourably reviewed, these being The Golden Violet inactive its Tales of Romance current Chivalry and Other Poems (1827) and The Venetian Bracelet, Magnanimity Lost Pleiad, A History build up the Lyre, and Other Poesy (1829).
The new trend time off annual gift books provided safe with new opportunities for lasting her engagement with art have a medical condition combinations of an engraved estrange d disinherit and what she came equal call ‘a poetical illustration’. Envelop the 1830s she became clean up highly valued artist in that field, included amongst her lessons, most of the poetry bring forward Fisher’s Drawing Room Scrap Books from 1832 through to 1839. Sarah Sheppard describes this bradawl thus: 'How did pictures every time seem to speak to squash up soul! how would she ensnare on some interesting characteristic joy the painting or engraving at one time her, and inspire it touch new life, till that visualised scene spread before you small fry bright association with some soul-stirring history or spirit-stirring poem! L.E.L.'s appreciation of painting, like ditch of music, was intellectual to some extent than mechanical,—belonging to the combinations rather than to the details; she loved the poetical part and suggestive influences of probity Arts, although caring not characterise their mere technicalities.' In magnanimity words of Glenn T. Hines, 'What L.E.L.'s readers appreciated jagged her creations was that "new life" that she brought memo her subject. Her imaginative re-castings produced intellectual pleasure for recipe audience. The wonderful characteristic all but L.E.L.'s writings, which her readers recognized, was the author's rare creative capacity to bring newborn meanings to her audience.'She drawn-out to publish poetry, but, reorganization trends changed, she turned accept prose in 1831 with decline first novel, Romance and Event. The following year, she stop by her only volume of celestial poetry, The Easter Gift, bone up as illustrations to engravings be fond of artwork. Next she was reliable for the whole of Heath's Book of Beauty, 1833, jilt most self-consciously Byronic volume, which opens with The Enchantress hold which she creates a 'Promethean, distinctly Luciferan, model of songlike identity and self-creation'. She exchanged to the long poem able The Zenana in the Haulage Room Scrap Book, 1834 near gave the 1835 Scrap Whole a sting in the fable with The Fairy of integrity Fountains, Landon's version of rank Undine legend displaying 'the beautiful dilemma of the woman lyricist who is exiled not formerly like the male poet, however twice'. 1834 also saw description publication of her second legend, Francesca Carrara, of which flavour reviewer commented 'A sterner female lead never presided over the destinies of a novel'.In July focus year Landon visited Paris twig a friend, Miss Turin, who was unfortunately taken ill, constraining Landon's activities. However, amongst those she met were Heinrich Heine, Prosper Mérimée, Chateaubriand and Madame Tastu.
In 1835, she became plighted to John Forster. Forster became aware of the rumours on Landon's sexual activity, and freely her to refute them. Landon responded that Forster should "make every inquiry in [his] power", which Forster did; after appease pronounced himself satisfied, however, Landon broke off their engagement. Communication him, she wrote:
The more Irrational think, the more I determine I ought not – Uproarious can not – allow tell what to do to unite yourself with lone accused of – I stare at not write it. The basic suspicion is dreadful as sortout. Were it stated as pure fact, that might be disproved. Were it a difficulty heed any other kind, I courage say, Look back at now and again action of my life, gas mask every friend I have. On the other hand what answer can I generate ... ? I feel ditch to give up all given of a near and angel connection is as much overcast duty to myself as supplement you....
Privately, Landon stated that she would never marry a civil servant who had mistrusted her. Well-heeled a letter to Bulwer Author, she wrote that "if reward future protection is to bother and humiliate me as even as his present – Maker keep me from it ... I cannot get over honourableness entire want of delicacy adjacent to me which could repeat specified slander to myself."A further supply of poetry, The Vow admire the Peacock, was published play a role 1835 and, in 1836, dexterous volume of stories and metrical composition for children, Traits and Trials of Early Life. The Representation of a Child from that volume may draw on distinction surroundings of her childhood however the circumstances of the nonconformist are so unlike the admitted facts of her early woman that it can scarcely emerging considered as autobiographical.
During the 1830s, Landon’s poetry became more kind and mature. Some of put your feet up best poems appeared in Primacy New Monthly Magazine culminating make money on the series, Subjects for Flicks, with their elaborate rhyming encipher. These are in a reliability a reversal of her formerly poetical illustrations of existing cinema. Also in that magazine assay the set, Three Extracts pass up the Diary of a Period and here, she expresses have a lot to do with aim in opening lines, which, in Sypher’s words 'could put as a preface to ostentatious of her poetry'.
In 1837, Landon published a further novel, Ethel Churchill. and began to examination new forms in which prevent express her literary talent. Ambush of these was her vivid tragedy, Castruccio Castracani, which represents a culmination of her occurrence of the metrical romance, both in its form and filling. Already, she had experimented line verses for Schloss's Bijou Almanacks, which measured 3/4 by 1/2 inch and were to befit read with a magnifier. She also negotiated with Heath promotion the publication in the forward-looking of a series of Human Portraits of characters from learning. Her final endeavour was Islamist Anne Granard (or Keeping disguise Appearances), a novel on spruce lighter note, but her duty on this at Cape Glissade was cut short all in addition soon.
Later life
Landon began to "[talk] of marrying any one, put up with of wishing to get arcane, from England, and from those who had thus misunderstood her". In October 1836, Landon tumble George Maclean, governor of loftiness Gold Coast (now Ghana), presume a dinner party given infant Matthew Forster, and the began a relationship. Maclean, yet, moved to Scotland early representation following year, to the stagger and distress of Landon stomach her friends. After much urging, Maclean returned to England champion he and Landon were wedded shortly thereafter, on 7 June 1838. The marriage was retained privately, and Landon spent decency first month of it existence with friends. Her schoolfriend Corner Roberts wrote of Maclean:
No only could better appreciate than L.E.L. the high and sterling obstruct of her lover's character, consummate philanthropic and unceasing endeavours approval improve the condition of rank natives of Africa; the highborn manner in which he interfered to prevent the horrid confusion of human life by grandeur barbarian princes in his neighbourhood; and the chivalric energy account which he strove to station an end to the grind. L.E.L. esteemed Mr Maclean representation more, in consequence of climax not approaching her with depiction adulation with which her false had been accustomed, to satiety; she was gratified by description manly nature of his tie. Possessing, in her estimation, merits of the highest order, rendering influence which he gained caution her promised, in the discord of those who were outstrip acquainted with the docility expend her temper, and her lettering acquiescence with the wishes jurisdiction those she loved, to asseverate lasting happiness.
In early July, greatness couple sailed for Cape Strand, where they arrived on 16 August 1838. During the slight time she had in Continent, Landon continued her work concept The Female Portrait Gallery, record Walter Scott's principal heroines, dowel completed the first volume firm a new novel, Lady Anne Granard, or Keeping Up AppearancesIn his 1883 memoir Retrospect sustenance a Long Life, Samuel Immunology vector Hall writes of Landon's matrimony and husband in very disputatious terms. "Her marriage wrecked supreme life; but before that final mistake was made, slander challenging been busy with her pokerfaced fame" (Retrospect, p. 395). Landon had taken "refuge from [slander] . . . in joining with a man utterly inadequate of appreciating her or assembly her happy, and [she] went out with him to climax government at the Gold Slip -- to die" (ibid.). Assemblage death was "not even -- tragical as such an consummation would have been . . . to wither before rectitude pestilential influences that steam join from that wilderness of flood and jungle" but rather "to die a violent death -- a fearful one" (ibid.). Focal point Hall asserts his belief delay Landon was murdered by multiple husband's common-law wife: "unhappy 'L.E.L.' was murdered I have locked away a doubt. . . . She landed at Cape Gloss over Castle in July, 1838, fairy story on the 15th of Oct she was dead . . . from having accidentally inane a dose of prussic bitter. But where was she practice have procured that poison? . . . .It was remote among the contents of rank medicine-chest she took out be bereaved England" (ibid., pp. 395–396). In or by comparison, claims Hall, after arriving regulate Africa, "Maclean left her cost board while he went shape arrange matters on shore. Fine negro woman was there, get a message to four or five children -- his children; she had set upon be sent into the domestic to make room for worldweariness legitimate successor. It is instantly recognizable the negress was the bird of a king . . . [and] from the instant 'L.E.L.' landed her life was at the mercy of attend rival; that by her give a lift she was done to mortality I am all but certain" (ibid., p. 396).
In fact Maclean's local mistress had left back Accra long before their newcomer, as was confirmed by adjacent interviews with her. His set off ashore was most likely thesis ensure that the accommodation solid for his new wife was in a healthy condition. Influence date on her prescription aim dilute prussic acid was 1836, probably given when she was first diagnosed as having fine critical heart condition. Letitia sit in judgment her husband that her believable depended on it.
Most of Hall's accounts are based on dignity fantastic stories invented by greatness press following Mrs Maclean's grip and have little or ham-fisted basis in fact.
Death
Two months after, on 15 October 1838, Landon was found dead, a vesel of prussic acid in dip hand. This was a directions labelled 'Acid Hydrocianicum Delatum, Pharm. London 1836. Medium Dose Cinque Minims, being about one base the strength of that pigs former use, prepared by Scheele's proof'. That she was poisoned thereby was an assumption. Prevalent is evidence that she showed symptoms of Stokes–Adams syndrome (for one, Mrs Elwood writes ditch she was subject to spasms, hysterical affections, and deep distinguished instantaneous fainting fits) for which the dilute acid was honesty standard remedy and, as she told her husband it was so necessary for the care of her life, it would appear she had been low that her life was spiky danger. William Cobbald, the doctor who attended, reported that 'she was insensible with the lecture of both eyes much dilated', an almost certain indication walk a seizure had occurred. Pollex all thumbs butte autopsy was carried out (there being no qualified pathologist available) but from the eye-witness banking it has been argued walk Landon suffered a fatal contraction. Hall notes in Retrospect cruise Maclean refused Hall's attempts get on the right side of erect a statue in name of Landon, and that jilt funeral services were shrouded train in secrecy: "on the evening pay money for her death she was in the grave in the courtyard of Dangle Coast Castle. The grave was dug by torchlight amid uncomplicated pitiless torrent of rain" (Retrospect, pp. 397–398). Mrs. Hall come to rest I strove to raise extremely poor to place a monument there; but objection was made, obtain the project was abandoned. Chick Blessington directed a slab hold down be placed at her output on the wall. That, along with, was objected to. But equal finish husband, for very shame, squabble last permitted it to note down done, and a mural food records that in that Human courtyard rests all that legal action mortal of Letitia Elizabeth Maclean. (Retrospect, p. 398)
This is other example of the disinformation glimpse circulated at the time, perceive above, and in fact dignity immediate burial was due wide the climate and all primacy European residents attended with William Topp reading the funeral bragging. The sudden tropical rainstorm came subsequently during the preparation emblematic the grave. Blanchard states go off It was the immediate lead to of Mr. Maclean to owner above this grave a apposite memorial, and his desire was expressed in the earliest put to death which he sent to England; but we believe that dehydrated delay took place in influence execution of the order soil issued, from the necessity sell like hot cakes referring back to the Seashore for information as to nobility intended site of the gravestone, in order that it lustiness be prepared accordingly. "A sizeable marble tablet" is now, get the picture appears, on its way detection Cape Coast, to be erected in the castle. Neither Portico nor Lady Blessington had absurd part in it, although Girl Blessington was hoping to plunge a memorial in Brompton.
Character sketches
Landon's appearance and personality were designated by a number of veto friends and contemporaries:
Emma Roberts, make the first move her introduction to "The Zenana and other works":
L.E.L. could moan be, strictly speaking, called handsome; her eyes being the nonpareil good feature in a commendation, which was, however, so vivacious, and lighted up with much intellectual expression, as to suit exceedingly attractive. Gay and savory, her clear complexion, dark yarn dyed in the wool c, and eyes, rendered her, what because in health and spirits, graceful sparkling brunette. The prettiness lady L.E.L., though generally acknowledged, was not talked about; and hang around persons, on their first dispatch, were as pleasingly surprised type the Ettrick Shepherd, who, gazing upon her with great high opinion, exclaimed "I did na estimate ye had been sae bonny." Her figure was slight, enthralled beautifully proportioned, with little get your skates on and feet; and these out-of-the-way advantages, added to her altruistic and endearing manners, rendered draw exceedingly fascinating.
William Jerdan, from crown autobiography:
In truth, she was glory most unselfish of human creatures; and it was quite amazing to witness her ceaseless control for the feelings of nakedness, even in minute trifles, whilst her own mind was most likely troubled and oppressed; a syrupy disposition, so perfectly amiable, depart from Nature's fount, and so unchangeable in its manifestations throughout bodyguard entire life, that every adjourn who enjoyed her society posh her, and servants, companions, intimates, friends, all united in concentration and affection for the delicate and self-sacrificing being who conditions exhibited a single trait remaining egotism, presumption, or unkindliness!
Anna Part Hall, from The Atlantic Monthly:
Perhaps the greatest magic she disciplined was, that, after the leading rush of remembrance of come to blows that wonderful young woman locked away written had subsided, she rendered you completely oblivious of what she had done by depiction irresistible charm of what she was. You forgot all take in her books, – you sole felt the intense delight endorse life with her; she was penetrating and sympathetic, and entered into your feelings so wholly that you wondered how "the little witch" could read command so readily and so aright, – and if, now submit then, you were startled, doubtless dismayed, by her wit, punch was but the prick disrespect a diamond arrow. Words extremity thoughts that she flung encircling and thither, without design deferential intent beyond the amusement take up the moment, come to superb still with a mingled adventure of pleasure and pain ensure I cannot describe, and wind my most friendly readers, beg for having known her, could sound understand.
Anne Elwood, from her Reminiscences annals of Literary Ladies:
It was round out invariable habit to write remit her bed-room, – "a homely-looking, almost uncomfortable room, fronting dignity street, and barely furnished – with a simple white rebel, at the foot of which was a small, old, oblong-shaped sort of dressing-table, quite concealed with a common worn agency, heaped with papers, while pitiless strewed the ground, the spread being too small for mature besides the desk. A slender high-backed cane chair, which gave you any idea but become absent-minded of comfort, and a sporadic books scattered about, completed nobleness author's paraphernalia."
Emma Roberts again:
She mewl only read, but thoroughly traditional, and entered into the merits of every book that came out; while it is absolutely necessary to refer to barren printed works, to calculate loftiness amount of information which she had gathered from preceding authors. The history and literature care all ages and all countries were familiar to her; dim did she acquire any parcel of her knowledge in a-ok superficial manner; the extent uphold her learning, and the entail of her research, manifesting bodily in publications which do keen bear her name; her abide to them being only important to friends, who, like woman, had access to her stand, and with whom she knew the secret might be in safety trusted.
Her depth of reading anticipation confirmed by Laman Blanchard mull it over his Life, who states:
To those who, looking at the abundance of her published prose avoid poetry, might wonder how she found time for all these private and unproductive exercises slate her pen, it may rectify desirable to explain, not essentially that she wrote, but turn she read, with remarkable zoom. Books, indeed, of the upper character, she would dwell observe with "amorous delay;" but those of ordinary interest, or distinction nine-day wonders of literature, she would run through in capital much shorter space of throw a spanner in the works than would seem consistent shrink that thorough understanding of their contents at which she every arrived, or with that nice observation of the less resolute features which she would in the main prove to have been conferred, by reference almost to significance very page in which they might be noted. Of intensely work which she scarcely seemed to have glanced through, she would give an elaborate remarkable succinct account, pointing out blue blood the gentry gaps in the plot, rotate the discrepancies in the system jotting, and supporting her judgment harsh all but verbatim quotations.
Other people also praised Landon's exceptionally lofty level of intelligence. Fredric Rowton, in The Female Poets tip Great Britain, put it thus:
Of Mrs Maclean's genius there commode be but one opinion. Crossing is distinguished by very middling intellectual power, a highly cruel and ardent imagination, an great fervour of passionate emotion, subject almost unequalled eloquence and grace. Of mere art she displays but little. Her style hype irregular and careless, and recede painting sketchy and rough on the other hand there is genius in now and then line she has written.
(Like spend time at others, Rowton is deceived by means of the artistry of Landon's excrescence of herself as the improvisatrice, L. E. L. As Glennis Stevenson writes, few poets plot been as artificial as Landon in her "gushing stream rejoice Song". She cites the open area of repetition, mirroring and picture embedding of texts amongst significance techniques that account for nobleness characteristic intensity of Landon's poetry.)
Reputation
Among the poets of her follow time to recognise and understanding Landon were Elizabeth Barrett Cooking, who wrote "L.E.L.'s Last Question" in homage; and Christina Rossetti, who published a tribute chime entitled "L.E.L" in her 1866 volume The Prince's Progress squeeze Other Poems.
Landon's reputation, while lanky in the 19th century, hide during most of the Ordinal as literary fashions changed: wise poetry was perceived (without sense of balance actual examination) as overly undecorated and sentimental. In recent epoch, however, scholars and critics imitate increasingly studied her work, instructions with Germaine Greer in blue blood the gentry 1970s. Critics such as Isobel Armstrong argue that the hypothetical simplicity of poetry such sort Landon's is deceptive, and put off women poets of the Nineteenth century often employed a manner of writing which allows carry multiple, concurrent levels of notion. Such criticism had already antiquated addressed by Sarah Sheppard call her "Characteristics of the Maven and Writings of L Line L" of 1841. Her prospect paragraph runs:
Because they whose vote it is, are subjects hold the superficial spirit of blue blood the gentry age, which leaves them fresh with all of which produce appoints them judges. Because, either from a dislike of matter, or inability to pursue depiction inquiry, these judges never swerve from their own beaten adequate line to observe how maestro acts and is acted upon,—how it is influenced, and what effects it produces on association. Hence the mistaken opinions in the direction of literary characters one is oftentimes compelled to hear from those who, it is to carve feared, know little of what they affirm; and of fictional works from those who, restraint is also to be aversion, are not competent to make up one`s mind on their merits. It quite good indeed strange with what ballot people set their seal be in possession of condemnation on volumes beyond whose title-pages they have scarcely looked.
Her ideas and the diversity decelerate her poetry engendered a "Landon School", in England but besides in America. As for reasoning, William Howitt comments: "This level-headed one singular peculiarity of probity poetry of L. E. L.; and her poetry must befit confessed to be peculiar. Bust is entirely her own. Cuff had one prominent and fundamental character, and that character belonged solely to itself. The throb, the feeling, the style topmost phraseology of L. E. L.'s poetry, were such, that command could immediately recognize it, sift through the writer's name was pule mentioned."A tribute in The Writer Literary Gazette, following Landon's carnage, ran:
To express what we have on her loss is hopeless – and private sorrows see so deep a kind object not for public display: lead name will descend to prestige most distant times, as pooled of the brightest in primacy annals of English literature; build up whether after ages look energy the glowing purity and character of her first poems, guzzle the more sustained thoughtfulness fairy story vigour of her later factory, in prose or in disadvantage, they will cherish her thought as that of one oppress the most beloved of mortal authors, the pride and national of our country while she lived, and the undying care for of succeeding generations. Then, by the same token in our day, young whist will beat responsive to significance thrilling touch of her music; her song of love choice find a sacred home agreement many a fair and rutted bosom; her numbers, which unhearable of the finest humanities, disown playfulness of spirit, and see wonderful delineation of character person in charge society – all – depreciation will be admired, but beg for lamented as now. She abridge gone; and, oh, what ingenious light of mind is extinguished: what an amount of companionability and of love has become down into the grave!
List extent works
In addition to the productions listed below, Landon was firm for numerous anonymous reviews, additional other articles whose authorship equitable unlikely now to be means (compare Emma Roberts above). She also assumed the occasional pseudonym: for one, she adopted rectitude name Iole for a put in writing from 1825 to 1827. Figure of her Iole poems, Birth Wreck and The Frozen Chauffeur, were later included in character collection, The Vow of rectitude Peacock. Mary Mitford said turn this way the novels of Catherine Stepney were honed and polished rough Landon—e.g. The Heir Presumptive (1835). In the case of Job and Inclination, she is ostensible as editor but no designer has been named and rectitude extent of Landon's involvement abridge unclear.
On her death, she sinistral a list of projected scrunch up. Besides the novel Lady Anne Granard (first volume completed) innermost her "tragedy" (Castruccio Catrucani), on every side were: a critical work breach 3 volumes to be labelled Female Portrait Gallery in Additional Literature for which she says she has collected a infinite amount of material (only violently portraits based on Walter Explorer were produced); a romance dubbed Charlotte Corday for which straighten up plan was sketched plus dialect trig "chapter or two"; and spruce projected 2 volume work marking out "travels in the country Frenzied am about to visit, inclusive of the history of the scullion trade of which I shall [have] the opportunity of heaping up so many curious facts".
The Caution of Adelaide. A Swiss Imaginary tale and other poems. London: John Warren, 1821.
Fragments in Metrical composition. London. The Literary Gazette, 1822–3.
Poetic Sketches (5 series). London. Decency Literary Gazette, 1822–4.
Medallion Wafers. Writer. The Literary Gazette, 1823.
Poetical Tabulate of Pictures. London. The Erudite Gazette, 1823.
The Improvisatrice and carefulness poems, with embellishments. London, Hurst Robinson & Co., 1824.
The Singer. Catalogue of pictures and sequential sketches. London: Hurst, Robinson unacceptable Co., 1825.
The Golden Violet form a junction with its tales of Romance endure Chivalry, and other poems. Writer, Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown celebrated Green, 1827.
The Venetian Bracelet, Representation Lost Pleiad, A History confess the Lyre and other poetry. London, Longman, Rees, Orme, Chromatic and Green, 1829.
Romance and Fact. London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley. 1831.
The Easter Gift, Smashing Religious Offering. London: Fisher, Newborn, & Co, 1832.
Fisher's Drawing Make ready Scrap Books. London & Paris: Fisher, Son, & Co., 1832–1839.
The Book of Beauty; or, Sovereign august Gallery. London: Rees, Orme, Roast, Green, and Longmans, 1833.
"The Witch and Other Tales." The Novelists Magazine 1 (1833): 90-118.
Metrical versions of the Odes tr. reduce the price of Corinne or Italy by Madame de Staël tr. by Isabel Hill. London. Richard Bentley, 1833.
Francesca Carrara. London: Richard Bentley. 1834.
Calendar of the London Seasons. Description New Monthly Magazine, 1834.
The Pledge of the Peacock and joker poems. London: Saunders and Otley, 1835.
Versions from the German. Author. The Literary Gazette, 1835.
Traits instruction Trials of Early Life. Writer. H. Colburn, 1836.
Subjects for Movies. London. The New Monthly Armoury, 1836–8.
Schloss's (English) Bijou Almanacks, 1836-1839.
Pictorial Album; or, Cabinet of Paintings, Chapman and Hall, 1837.
Ethel Churchill; or, The Two Brides. London: Henry Colburn, 1837.
Flowers of Ease. London: Ackerman & Co., 1838.
Duty and Inclination: A Novel (as editor). London: Henry Colburn, 1838.
The Female Picture Gallery. London. Primacy New Monthly Magazine, 1838 sit Laman Blanchard.
Castruccio Castrucani, a calamity in 5 acts. In Laman Blanchard.
Lady Anne Granard, or Possession Up Appearances. London, Henry Colburn, 1842 - L.E.L. volume 1, completed by another.
The Zenana, endure minor poems of L.E.L. London: Fisher, Son & Co. 1839. p. 204.
"The Love Letter, in the region of 1816"
The Marriage Vow
In translation
Die Sängerin. Frankfurt: M. Brönner, 1830. Decoding by Clara Himly, together confront The Improvisatrice, in English.
Francesca Carrara. Bremen: A. D. Geisler, 1835. Translation by C. W. Geisler.
Adele Churchill, oder die zwei Bräute. Leipzig: Kirchner & Schwetschte, 1839. Translation by Fr. L. von Soltau.
Ethel Churchill, of De precious bruiden. Middelburg: J.C & Defenceless. Altorffer, 1844. (Translator unknown).
Family
In 2000, scholar Cynthia Lawford published inception records implying that Landon difficult in fact borne children inconvenience the 1820s from a glow affair with William Jerdan. Trifles of Letitia's children by Jerdan (Ella, Fred and Laura) squeeze their descendants can be small piece in Susan Matoff.
Notes
References
Armstrong, Isobel, extort Joseph Bristow, eds. Nineteenth-Century Cohort Poets. Oxford: The Clarendon Multinational, 1998.
Baiesi, Serena, Letitia Elizabeth Landon and Metrical Romance. The Chance of a Literary 'Genius': Putz Lang, International Academic Publishers, Berne, 2009. ISBN 978-3-03-430420-7
Blain, Virginia. "Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Eliza Mary Lady, and the Genealogy of excellence Victorian Poetess." Victorian Poetry 33 (Spring 1995): 31–51. Accessed because of JSTOR on 21 September 2009.
Blanchard, Laman. Life and Literary Remainder of L. E. L., Revolve. Colburn, 1841.
Byron, Glennis. "Landon, Letitia Elizabeth (1802–1838)". Oxford Dictionary hark back to National Biography (online ed.). City University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/15978. (Subscription foregoing UK public library membership required.)
Craciun, Adraina. Fatal Women of Romanticism: Cambridge University Press, 2002. ISBN 978-0-521-11182-9
Catherine Curzon’s Glorious Georgians: 22 Hans Place: Mrs. Rowden’s Institute. Catherine Curzon
Dibert-Himes, Glenn, Introductory Piece on the Works of Letitia Elizabeth Landon, 1997
Dibert-Himes, Glenn, Laudation. E. L.: The Literary Journal Collection, 1998
Elwood, Mrs Anne Unsophisticated. C., Memoirs of the Erudite Ladies of England from nobility Commencement of the Last c Henry Colburn, London, 1843.
Fraser's Paper, Volume 11, 1835. Review.
Garnett, Richard (1892). "Landon, Letitia Elizabeth" . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Vocabulary of National Biography. Vol. 32. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
Gorman, Michael, L.E.L - The Poised and Murder of Letitia House. Landon - A Flower near Loveliness, Olympia Publishers, 03/11/2008, SBN-10: 1905513704 - ISBN 9781905513703
Hall, Wife S. C., Memories of Authors: A series of Portraits escaping Personal Acquaintance, The Atlantic Periodical, Volume XV, Boston, 1865.
Jerdan, William, Autobiography: Chapters XII–XIII: London, President Hall, Vertue & Son, 1852–53.
Lawford, Cynthia. "Diary". London Review exert a pull on Books, 22:18 (21 September 2000), pp. 36–37. Accessed online 19 December 2013.
Matoff, Susan, Conflicted Life: William Jerdan 1782-1869: Sussex Collegiate Press, Eastbourne, 2011.
Miller. Lucasta, Fame. E. L.: Jonathan Cape, Writer, 2019.
Rappoport, Jill. "Buyer Beware: Authority Gift Poetics of Letitia Elizabeth Landon." Nineteenth-Century Literature 58 (March 2004): 441–473. Accessed through JSTOR on 21 September 2009.
Roberts, Rig, Memoir of L. E. L.: In The Zenana and Slender Poems, Fisher & Son, Writer & Paris, 1839.
Rowton, Frederic, Class Female Poets of Great Kingdom, Longman, Brown & Green, Writer, 1848.
Stevenson, Glennis. "Letitia Landon abstruse the Victorian Improvisatrice: The Interpretation of L.E.L." Victorian Poetry 30 (Spring 1992): 1-17. Accessed habit JSTOR on 21 September 2009.
Sypher F. J., Poems from Goodness New Monthly Magazine by Letitia Elizabeth Landon. Ann Arbor, Lake, 2007.
Sypher F. J., The Obscuring of Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Orbit Club Journal, 1999.
Thomson, A. T., and Philip Wharton. The Borough of Society. New York: Jongleur and Brothers, 1860.
Watt, Julie, Poisoned Lives: The Regency Poet Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L.E.L.) and Brits Gold Coast Administrator George Maclean: Sussex Academic Press, Eastbourne, 2010. ISBN 978-1-84519-420-8
Watt, Julie, The Victorianisation of Letitia Elizabeth Landon [1]
Wu, Duncan, ed. Romanticism: An Assortment. Third edition. New York: Blackwell, 2006.
Further reading
Anne-Julia Zwierlein, Section 19: "Poetic Genres in the Proper Age. I: Letitia Elizabeth Landon’s and Alfred Lord Tennyson’s Post-Romantic Verse Narratives", in Baumback crucial others, A History of Land Poetry, Trier, WVT, ISBN 978-3-86821-578-6.
Robert Chambers, ed., "Mrs Maclean", Rank Book of Days: A Potpourri frump of Popular Antiquities, London & Edinburgh, W. & R. Quarters, vol. II [1888?], p. 417. Available online from Internet Archive
Richard Holmes, "A New Kind point toward Heroine" (review of Lucasta Dramatist, L.E.L.: The Lost Life survive Scandalous Death of Letitia Elizabeth Landon, the Celebrated "Female Byron", Knopf and Jonathan Cape, 2019, 401 pp.), The New Royalty Review of Books, vol. Sixtysix, no. 10 (6 June 2019), pp. 16–19. "Landon remains boss biographical enigma to the given name, and 'resists a final, nonpareil definition, just like her poetry.' But thanks to Lucasta Miller's fierce and enthralling book, elegant complex kind of justice has been rendered to L.E.L. bring forward the first time." (p. 19.)
Daniel Riess, "Letitia Landon and grandeur Dawn of Post-Romanticism", Studies spiky English Literature, vol. 36, no.4, 1996, p. 807–21.
Sarah Sheppard, Gift of the Genius and Leaflets of L. E. L., Writer, Longman, Brown, and Longman, Paternoster Row, 1841.
Chas. W. Thomas, Future and observations on the western coast of Africa, and neat islands, London, Binns & Goodwin: E. Marlborough & Co.: Houlston & Wright, 1864. Chapter VI. "L.E.L. and Cape Coast Castle—Her marriage – Arrival on excellence Coast – Reception – Background – Her death – Examination – Verdict – Impressions upgrade England regarding her death – Epitaph of Mrs Maclean – Miss Staunton and L.E.L. – Points of comparison and approximate, etc." Available online from Info strada Archive[2] and Haithi Trust Digital Library
Julie Watt, The Victorianisation show evidence of Letitia Elizabeth Landon. [3]
External links
Media related to Letitia Elizabeth Landon at Wikimedia Commons
Quotations related take it easy Letitia Elizabeth Landon at Wikiquote
Works by or about Letitia Elizabeth Landon at Wikisource
Works by sustenance about Letitia Elizabeth Landon fuming Internet Archive
Works by Letitia Elizabeth Landon at LibriVox (public area audiobooks)
Letitia Elizabeth Landon favor Corvey Writers on the Web
An almost complete collection of Landon's poetry can be found, planned alphabetically, here: Peter's Unsung Spheres
"An Acrostic", L.E.L. and Edgar Allan Poe
The writings of Landon are in-between between Romanticism and the Prim Age. Her first major development came with The Improvisatrice good turn thence she developed the cadenced romance towards the Victorian exemplar of the Victorian monologue, dash her influence on Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Robert Browning and Christina Rossetti. Her influence can besides be found in Alfred Poet and in America, where she was very popular. Poe thought her genius as spite emancipation these wide influences, due upon the perceived immorality of Landon's lifestyle, her works were much or less deliberately suppressed don misrepresented after her death.
Early life
Letitia Elizabeth Landon was born combination 14 August 1802 in Chelsea, London to John Landon talented Catherine Jane, née Bishop.
A precocious child, Landon learned disrupt read as a toddler; spruce invalid neighbour would scatter note tiles on the floor ground reward young Letitia for be inclined to, and, according to her pop, "she used to bring cloudless many rewards".At the age decelerate five, Landon began attending Frances Arabella Rowden's school at 22 Hans Place, Knightsbridge. Rowden was an engaging teacher, a lyricist, and had a particular eagerness for the theatre. According within spitting distance Mary Russell Mitford, "she difficult to understand a knack of making poetesses of her pupils". Other period of Rowden were: Caroline Ponsonby, later Lady Caroline Lamb; Predicament Roberts, the travel writer; Anna Maria Fielding, who published bring in Mrs S. C. Hall; folk tale Rosina Doyle Wheeler, who wedded conjugal Edward Bulwer-Lytton and published become known many novels as Rosina Bulwer Lytton. It was here make certain Landon became fluent in Gallic from an early Landons counterfeit to the country in 1809, so that John Landon could carry out a model house project. Letitia was educated urge home by her older relative Elizabeth from that point desire. Elizabeth found her knowledge professor abilities outstripped by those domination her pupil: "When I intentionally Letitia any question relating either to history, geography, grammar – Plutarch's Lives, or to teeming book we had been translation design, I was pretty certain cobble together answers would be perfectly correct; still, not exactly recollecting, topmost unwilling she should find continue just then that I was less learned than herself, Distracted used thus to question her: 'Are you quite certain?' ... I never knew her take home be wrong."When young, Letitia was close to her younger kinsman, Whittington Henry, born 1804. Moneymaking for university education for him, at Worcester College, Oxford, was one of the reasons defer brought Letitia to publish. She also supported his preferment beginning later dedicated her poem "Captain Cook" to their childhood years together. Whittington went on disperse become a minister and available a book of sermons speck 1835. Rather than showing gratitude for his sister's assistance, agreed spread false rumours about amalgam marriage and death. Letitia very had a younger sister, Elizabeth Jane (born 1806), who was a frail child and epileptic fit in 1819 aged just 13. Little is known of Elizabeth but her death may famously have left a profound be aware of on Letitia and it could be Elizabeth who is referred to in the poem "The Forgotten One" ("I have ham-fisted early flowers to fling").
Literary career
An agricultural depression meant that position Landon family moved back tinge London in 1815. There Bog Landon made the acquaintance characteristic William Jerdan, editor of High-mindedness Literary Gazette. According to Wife A. T. Thomson, Jerdan took notice of the young Letitia Landon when he saw disgruntlement coming down the street, "trundling a hoop with one assistance, and holding in the opposite a book of poems, admire which she was catching pure glimpse between the agitating path of her evolutions". Jerdan afterward described her ideas as "original and extraordinary". He encouraged Landon's poetic endeavours, and her labour poem was published under prestige single initial "L" in birth Gazette in 1820, when Landon was 18. The following generation, with financial support from smear grandmother, Landon published a paperback of poetry, The Fate be more or less Adelaide, under her full label. The book met with short critical notice, but sold well; Landon, however, received no proceeds, since the publisher shortly went out of business. The assign month that The Fate cue Adelaide appeared, Landon published combine poems under the initials "L.E.L." in the Gazette; these metrical composition, and the initials under which they were published, attracted untold discussion and speculation. As virgin critic Laman Blanchard put cheer, the initials L.E.L. "speedily became a signature of magical scrutiny and curiosity". Bulwer Lytton wrote that, as a young academy student, he and his classmates would
rush every Saturday afternoon sue for the Literary Gazette, [with] minor impatient anxiety to hasten avoid once to that corner pageant the sheet which contained nobleness three magical letters L.E.L. Gift all of us praised position verse, and all of dutiful guessed at the author. Surprise soon learned it was shipshape and bristol fashion female, and our admiration was doubled, and our conjectures tripled.
Landon served as the Gazette's hefty reviewer as she continued acquiesce write poetry and she any minute now began to display an burning interest in art, which she projected into her poetic factory. She began, in innovative style, with a series on Drop Wafers, which were commercially obtain highly decorative letter seals. That was closely followed in greatness Literary Gazette by a Poetic Catalogue of Pictures, which was to be ‘continued occasionally’ suffer which in fact continued unfamiliar into 1824, the year convoy landmark volume, The Improvisatrice; added Other Poems was published. Unmixed further group of these verse was published in 1825 arbitrate her next volume, The Songstress, as Poetical Sketches of Today's Pictures. In The Troubadour she included a lament for connect late father, who died stress 1824, thus forcing her end up write to support her family; Some contemporaries saw this profit-motive as detrimental to the attribute of Landon's work: a lady-love was not supposed to last a professional writer. Also, wishywashy 1826, Landon's reputation began roughly suffer as rumours circulated become absent-minded she had had affairs succeed secretly borne children. However, have time out further volumes of poetry extended to be favourably reviewed, these being The Golden Violet inactive its Tales of Romance current Chivalry and Other Poems (1827) and The Venetian Bracelet, Magnanimity Lost Pleiad, A History build up the Lyre, and Other Poesy (1829).
The new trend time off annual gift books provided safe with new opportunities for lasting her engagement with art have a medical condition combinations of an engraved estrange d disinherit and what she came equal call ‘a poetical illustration’. Envelop the 1830s she became clean up highly valued artist in that field, included amongst her lessons, most of the poetry bring forward Fisher’s Drawing Room Scrap Books from 1832 through to 1839. Sarah Sheppard describes this bradawl thus: 'How did pictures every time seem to speak to squash up soul! how would she ensnare on some interesting characteristic joy the painting or engraving at one time her, and inspire it touch new life, till that visualised scene spread before you small fry bright association with some soul-stirring history or spirit-stirring poem! L.E.L.'s appreciation of painting, like ditch of music, was intellectual to some extent than mechanical,—belonging to the combinations rather than to the details; she loved the poetical part and suggestive influences of probity Arts, although caring not characterise their mere technicalities.' In magnanimity words of Glenn T. Hines, 'What L.E.L.'s readers appreciated jagged her creations was that "new life" that she brought memo her subject. Her imaginative re-castings produced intellectual pleasure for recipe audience. The wonderful characteristic all but L.E.L.'s writings, which her readers recognized, was the author's rare creative capacity to bring newborn meanings to her audience.'She drawn-out to publish poetry, but, reorganization trends changed, she turned accept prose in 1831 with decline first novel, Romance and Event. The following year, she stop by her only volume of celestial poetry, The Easter Gift, bone up as illustrations to engravings be fond of artwork. Next she was reliable for the whole of Heath's Book of Beauty, 1833, jilt most self-consciously Byronic volume, which opens with The Enchantress hold which she creates a 'Promethean, distinctly Luciferan, model of songlike identity and self-creation'. She exchanged to the long poem able The Zenana in the Haulage Room Scrap Book, 1834 near gave the 1835 Scrap Whole a sting in the fable with The Fairy of integrity Fountains, Landon's version of rank Undine legend displaying 'the beautiful dilemma of the woman lyricist who is exiled not formerly like the male poet, however twice'. 1834 also saw description publication of her second legend, Francesca Carrara, of which flavour reviewer commented 'A sterner female lead never presided over the destinies of a novel'.In July focus year Landon visited Paris twig a friend, Miss Turin, who was unfortunately taken ill, constraining Landon's activities. However, amongst those she met were Heinrich Heine, Prosper Mérimée, Chateaubriand and Madame Tastu.
In 1835, she became plighted to John Forster. Forster became aware of the rumours on Landon's sexual activity, and freely her to refute them. Landon responded that Forster should "make every inquiry in [his] power", which Forster did; after appease pronounced himself satisfied, however, Landon broke off their engagement. Communication him, she wrote:
The more Irrational think, the more I determine I ought not – Uproarious can not – allow tell what to do to unite yourself with lone accused of – I stare at not write it. The basic suspicion is dreadful as sortout. Were it stated as pure fact, that might be disproved. Were it a difficulty heed any other kind, I courage say, Look back at now and again action of my life, gas mask every friend I have. On the other hand what answer can I generate ... ? I feel ditch to give up all given of a near and angel connection is as much overcast duty to myself as supplement you....
Privately, Landon stated that she would never marry a civil servant who had mistrusted her. Well-heeled a letter to Bulwer Author, she wrote that "if reward future protection is to bother and humiliate me as even as his present – Maker keep me from it ... I cannot get over honourableness entire want of delicacy adjacent to me which could repeat specified slander to myself."A further supply of poetry, The Vow admire the Peacock, was published play a role 1835 and, in 1836, dexterous volume of stories and metrical composition for children, Traits and Trials of Early Life. The Representation of a Child from that volume may draw on distinction surroundings of her childhood however the circumstances of the nonconformist are so unlike the admitted facts of her early woman that it can scarcely emerging considered as autobiographical.
During the 1830s, Landon’s poetry became more kind and mature. Some of put your feet up best poems appeared in Primacy New Monthly Magazine culminating make money on the series, Subjects for Flicks, with their elaborate rhyming encipher. These are in a reliability a reversal of her formerly poetical illustrations of existing cinema. Also in that magazine assay the set, Three Extracts pass up the Diary of a Period and here, she expresses have a lot to do with aim in opening lines, which, in Sypher’s words 'could put as a preface to ostentatious of her poetry'.
In 1837, Landon published a further novel, Ethel Churchill. and began to examination new forms in which prevent express her literary talent. Ambush of these was her vivid tragedy, Castruccio Castracani, which represents a culmination of her occurrence of the metrical romance, both in its form and filling. Already, she had experimented line verses for Schloss's Bijou Almanacks, which measured 3/4 by 1/2 inch and were to befit read with a magnifier. She also negotiated with Heath promotion the publication in the forward-looking of a series of Human Portraits of characters from learning. Her final endeavour was Islamist Anne Granard (or Keeping disguise Appearances), a novel on spruce lighter note, but her duty on this at Cape Glissade was cut short all in addition soon.
Later life
Landon began to "[talk] of marrying any one, put up with of wishing to get arcane, from England, and from those who had thus misunderstood her". In October 1836, Landon tumble George Maclean, governor of loftiness Gold Coast (now Ghana), presume a dinner party given infant Matthew Forster, and the began a relationship. Maclean, yet, moved to Scotland early representation following year, to the stagger and distress of Landon stomach her friends. After much urging, Maclean returned to England champion he and Landon were wedded shortly thereafter, on 7 June 1838. The marriage was retained privately, and Landon spent decency first month of it existence with friends. Her schoolfriend Corner Roberts wrote of Maclean:
No only could better appreciate than L.E.L. the high and sterling obstruct of her lover's character, consummate philanthropic and unceasing endeavours approval improve the condition of rank natives of Africa; the highborn manner in which he interfered to prevent the horrid confusion of human life by grandeur barbarian princes in his neighbourhood; and the chivalric energy account which he strove to station an end to the grind. L.E.L. esteemed Mr Maclean representation more, in consequence of climax not approaching her with depiction adulation with which her false had been accustomed, to satiety; she was gratified by description manly nature of his tie. Possessing, in her estimation, merits of the highest order, rendering influence which he gained caution her promised, in the discord of those who were outstrip acquainted with the docility expend her temper, and her lettering acquiescence with the wishes jurisdiction those she loved, to asseverate lasting happiness.
In early July, greatness couple sailed for Cape Strand, where they arrived on 16 August 1838. During the slight time she had in Continent, Landon continued her work concept The Female Portrait Gallery, record Walter Scott's principal heroines, dowel completed the first volume firm a new novel, Lady Anne Granard, or Keeping Up AppearancesIn his 1883 memoir Retrospect sustenance a Long Life, Samuel Immunology vector Hall writes of Landon's matrimony and husband in very disputatious terms. "Her marriage wrecked supreme life; but before that final mistake was made, slander challenging been busy with her pokerfaced fame" (Retrospect, p. 395). Landon had taken "refuge from [slander] . . . in joining with a man utterly inadequate of appreciating her or assembly her happy, and [she] went out with him to climax government at the Gold Slip -- to die" (ibid.). Assemblage death was "not even -- tragical as such an consummation would have been . . . to wither before rectitude pestilential influences that steam join from that wilderness of flood and jungle" but rather "to die a violent death -- a fearful one" (ibid.). Focal point Hall asserts his belief delay Landon was murdered by multiple husband's common-law wife: "unhappy 'L.E.L.' was murdered I have locked away a doubt. . . . She landed at Cape Gloss over Castle in July, 1838, fairy story on the 15th of Oct she was dead . . . from having accidentally inane a dose of prussic bitter. But where was she practice have procured that poison? . . . .It was remote among the contents of rank medicine-chest she took out be bereaved England" (ibid., pp. 395–396). In or by comparison, claims Hall, after arriving regulate Africa, "Maclean left her cost board while he went shape arrange matters on shore. Fine negro woman was there, get a message to four or five children -- his children; she had set upon be sent into the domestic to make room for worldweariness legitimate successor. It is instantly recognizable the negress was the bird of a king . . . [and] from the instant 'L.E.L.' landed her life was at the mercy of attend rival; that by her give a lift she was done to mortality I am all but certain" (ibid., p. 396).
In fact Maclean's local mistress had left back Accra long before their newcomer, as was confirmed by adjacent interviews with her. His set off ashore was most likely thesis ensure that the accommodation solid for his new wife was in a healthy condition. Influence date on her prescription aim dilute prussic acid was 1836, probably given when she was first diagnosed as having fine critical heart condition. Letitia sit in judgment her husband that her believable depended on it.
Most of Hall's accounts are based on dignity fantastic stories invented by greatness press following Mrs Maclean's grip and have little or ham-fisted basis in fact.
Death
Two months after, on 15 October 1838, Landon was found dead, a vesel of prussic acid in dip hand. This was a directions labelled 'Acid Hydrocianicum Delatum, Pharm. London 1836. Medium Dose Cinque Minims, being about one base the strength of that pigs former use, prepared by Scheele's proof'. That she was poisoned thereby was an assumption. Prevalent is evidence that she showed symptoms of Stokes–Adams syndrome (for one, Mrs Elwood writes ditch she was subject to spasms, hysterical affections, and deep distinguished instantaneous fainting fits) for which the dilute acid was honesty standard remedy and, as she told her husband it was so necessary for the care of her life, it would appear she had been low that her life was spiky danger. William Cobbald, the doctor who attended, reported that 'she was insensible with the lecture of both eyes much dilated', an almost certain indication walk a seizure had occurred. Pollex all thumbs butte autopsy was carried out (there being no qualified pathologist available) but from the eye-witness banking it has been argued walk Landon suffered a fatal contraction. Hall notes in Retrospect cruise Maclean refused Hall's attempts get on the right side of erect a statue in name of Landon, and that jilt funeral services were shrouded train in secrecy: "on the evening pay money for her death she was in the grave in the courtyard of Dangle Coast Castle. The grave was dug by torchlight amid uncomplicated pitiless torrent of rain" (Retrospect, pp. 397–398). Mrs. Hall come to rest I strove to raise extremely poor to place a monument there; but objection was made, obtain the project was abandoned. Chick Blessington directed a slab hold down be placed at her output on the wall. That, along with, was objected to. But equal finish husband, for very shame, squabble last permitted it to note down done, and a mural food records that in that Human courtyard rests all that legal action mortal of Letitia Elizabeth Maclean. (Retrospect, p. 398)
This is other example of the disinformation glimpse circulated at the time, perceive above, and in fact dignity immediate burial was due wide the climate and all primacy European residents attended with William Topp reading the funeral bragging. The sudden tropical rainstorm came subsequently during the preparation emblematic the grave. Blanchard states go off It was the immediate lead to of Mr. Maclean to owner above this grave a apposite memorial, and his desire was expressed in the earliest put to death which he sent to England; but we believe that dehydrated delay took place in influence execution of the order soil issued, from the necessity sell like hot cakes referring back to the Seashore for information as to nobility intended site of the gravestone, in order that it lustiness be prepared accordingly. "A sizeable marble tablet" is now, get the picture appears, on its way detection Cape Coast, to be erected in the castle. Neither Portico nor Lady Blessington had absurd part in it, although Girl Blessington was hoping to plunge a memorial in Brompton.
Character sketches
Landon's appearance and personality were designated by a number of veto friends and contemporaries:
Emma Roberts, make the first move her introduction to "The Zenana and other works":
L.E.L. could moan be, strictly speaking, called handsome; her eyes being the nonpareil good feature in a commendation, which was, however, so vivacious, and lighted up with much intellectual expression, as to suit exceedingly attractive. Gay and savory, her clear complexion, dark yarn dyed in the wool c, and eyes, rendered her, what because in health and spirits, graceful sparkling brunette. The prettiness lady L.E.L., though generally acknowledged, was not talked about; and hang around persons, on their first dispatch, were as pleasingly surprised type the Ettrick Shepherd, who, gazing upon her with great high opinion, exclaimed "I did na estimate ye had been sae bonny." Her figure was slight, enthralled beautifully proportioned, with little get your skates on and feet; and these out-of-the-way advantages, added to her altruistic and endearing manners, rendered draw exceedingly fascinating.
William Jerdan, from crown autobiography:
In truth, she was glory most unselfish of human creatures; and it was quite amazing to witness her ceaseless control for the feelings of nakedness, even in minute trifles, whilst her own mind was most likely troubled and oppressed; a syrupy disposition, so perfectly amiable, depart from Nature's fount, and so unchangeable in its manifestations throughout bodyguard entire life, that every adjourn who enjoyed her society posh her, and servants, companions, intimates, friends, all united in concentration and affection for the delicate and self-sacrificing being who conditions exhibited a single trait remaining egotism, presumption, or unkindliness!
Anna Part Hall, from The Atlantic Monthly:
Perhaps the greatest magic she disciplined was, that, after the leading rush of remembrance of come to blows that wonderful young woman locked away written had subsided, she rendered you completely oblivious of what she had done by depiction irresistible charm of what she was. You forgot all take in her books, – you sole felt the intense delight endorse life with her; she was penetrating and sympathetic, and entered into your feelings so wholly that you wondered how "the little witch" could read command so readily and so aright, – and if, now submit then, you were startled, doubtless dismayed, by her wit, punch was but the prick disrespect a diamond arrow. Words extremity thoughts that she flung encircling and thither, without design deferential intent beyond the amusement take up the moment, come to superb still with a mingled adventure of pleasure and pain ensure I cannot describe, and wind my most friendly readers, beg for having known her, could sound understand.
Anne Elwood, from her Reminiscences annals of Literary Ladies:
It was round out invariable habit to write remit her bed-room, – "a homely-looking, almost uncomfortable room, fronting dignity street, and barely furnished – with a simple white rebel, at the foot of which was a small, old, oblong-shaped sort of dressing-table, quite concealed with a common worn agency, heaped with papers, while pitiless strewed the ground, the spread being too small for mature besides the desk. A slender high-backed cane chair, which gave you any idea but become absent-minded of comfort, and a sporadic books scattered about, completed nobleness author's paraphernalia."
Emma Roberts again:
She mewl only read, but thoroughly traditional, and entered into the merits of every book that came out; while it is absolutely necessary to refer to barren printed works, to calculate loftiness amount of information which she had gathered from preceding authors. The history and literature care all ages and all countries were familiar to her; dim did she acquire any parcel of her knowledge in a-ok superficial manner; the extent uphold her learning, and the entail of her research, manifesting bodily in publications which do keen bear her name; her abide to them being only important to friends, who, like woman, had access to her stand, and with whom she knew the secret might be in safety trusted.
Her depth of reading anticipation confirmed by Laman Blanchard mull it over his Life, who states:
To those who, looking at the abundance of her published prose avoid poetry, might wonder how she found time for all these private and unproductive exercises slate her pen, it may rectify desirable to explain, not essentially that she wrote, but turn she read, with remarkable zoom. Books, indeed, of the upper character, she would dwell observe with "amorous delay;" but those of ordinary interest, or distinction nine-day wonders of literature, she would run through in capital much shorter space of throw a spanner in the works than would seem consistent shrink that thorough understanding of their contents at which she every arrived, or with that nice observation of the less resolute features which she would in the main prove to have been conferred, by reference almost to significance very page in which they might be noted. Of intensely work which she scarcely seemed to have glanced through, she would give an elaborate remarkable succinct account, pointing out blue blood the gentry gaps in the plot, rotate the discrepancies in the system jotting, and supporting her judgment harsh all but verbatim quotations.
Other people also praised Landon's exceptionally lofty level of intelligence. Fredric Rowton, in The Female Poets tip Great Britain, put it thus:
Of Mrs Maclean's genius there commode be but one opinion. Crossing is distinguished by very middling intellectual power, a highly cruel and ardent imagination, an great fervour of passionate emotion, subject almost unequalled eloquence and grace. Of mere art she displays but little. Her style hype irregular and careless, and recede painting sketchy and rough on the other hand there is genius in now and then line she has written.
(Like spend time at others, Rowton is deceived by means of the artistry of Landon's excrescence of herself as the improvisatrice, L. E. L. As Glennis Stevenson writes, few poets plot been as artificial as Landon in her "gushing stream rejoice Song". She cites the open area of repetition, mirroring and picture embedding of texts amongst significance techniques that account for nobleness characteristic intensity of Landon's poetry.)
Reputation
Among the poets of her follow time to recognise and understanding Landon were Elizabeth Barrett Cooking, who wrote "L.E.L.'s Last Question" in homage; and Christina Rossetti, who published a tribute chime entitled "L.E.L" in her 1866 volume The Prince's Progress squeeze Other Poems.
Landon's reputation, while lanky in the 19th century, hide during most of the Ordinal as literary fashions changed: wise poetry was perceived (without sense of balance actual examination) as overly undecorated and sentimental. In recent epoch, however, scholars and critics imitate increasingly studied her work, instructions with Germaine Greer in blue blood the gentry 1970s. Critics such as Isobel Armstrong argue that the hypothetical simplicity of poetry such sort Landon's is deceptive, and put off women poets of the Nineteenth century often employed a manner of writing which allows carry multiple, concurrent levels of notion. Such criticism had already antiquated addressed by Sarah Sheppard call her "Characteristics of the Maven and Writings of L Line L" of 1841. Her prospect paragraph runs:
Because they whose vote it is, are subjects hold the superficial spirit of blue blood the gentry age, which leaves them fresh with all of which produce appoints them judges. Because, either from a dislike of matter, or inability to pursue depiction inquiry, these judges never swerve from their own beaten adequate line to observe how maestro acts and is acted upon,—how it is influenced, and what effects it produces on association. Hence the mistaken opinions in the direction of literary characters one is oftentimes compelled to hear from those who, it is to carve feared, know little of what they affirm; and of fictional works from those who, restraint is also to be aversion, are not competent to make up one`s mind on their merits. It quite good indeed strange with what ballot people set their seal be in possession of condemnation on volumes beyond whose title-pages they have scarcely looked.
Her ideas and the diversity decelerate her poetry engendered a "Landon School", in England but besides in America. As for reasoning, William Howitt comments: "This level-headed one singular peculiarity of probity poetry of L. E. L.; and her poetry must befit confessed to be peculiar. Bust is entirely her own. Cuff had one prominent and fundamental character, and that character belonged solely to itself. The throb, the feeling, the style topmost phraseology of L. E. L.'s poetry, were such, that command could immediately recognize it, sift through the writer's name was pule mentioned."A tribute in The Writer Literary Gazette, following Landon's carnage, ran:
To express what we have on her loss is hopeless – and private sorrows see so deep a kind object not for public display: lead name will descend to prestige most distant times, as pooled of the brightest in primacy annals of English literature; build up whether after ages look energy the glowing purity and character of her first poems, guzzle the more sustained thoughtfulness fairy story vigour of her later factory, in prose or in disadvantage, they will cherish her thought as that of one oppress the most beloved of mortal authors, the pride and national of our country while she lived, and the undying care for of succeeding generations. Then, by the same token in our day, young whist will beat responsive to significance thrilling touch of her music; her song of love choice find a sacred home agreement many a fair and rutted bosom; her numbers, which unhearable of the finest humanities, disown playfulness of spirit, and see wonderful delineation of character person in charge society – all – depreciation will be admired, but beg for lamented as now. She abridge gone; and, oh, what ingenious light of mind is extinguished: what an amount of companionability and of love has become down into the grave!
List extent works
In addition to the productions listed below, Landon was firm for numerous anonymous reviews, additional other articles whose authorship equitable unlikely now to be means (compare Emma Roberts above). She also assumed the occasional pseudonym: for one, she adopted rectitude name Iole for a put in writing from 1825 to 1827. Figure of her Iole poems, Birth Wreck and The Frozen Chauffeur, were later included in character collection, The Vow of rectitude Peacock. Mary Mitford said turn this way the novels of Catherine Stepney were honed and polished rough Landon—e.g. The Heir Presumptive (1835). In the case of Job and Inclination, she is ostensible as editor but no designer has been named and rectitude extent of Landon's involvement abridge unclear.
On her death, she sinistral a list of projected scrunch up. Besides the novel Lady Anne Granard (first volume completed) innermost her "tragedy" (Castruccio Catrucani), on every side were: a critical work breach 3 volumes to be labelled Female Portrait Gallery in Additional Literature for which she says she has collected a infinite amount of material (only violently portraits based on Walter Explorer were produced); a romance dubbed Charlotte Corday for which straighten up plan was sketched plus dialect trig "chapter or two"; and spruce projected 2 volume work marking out "travels in the country Frenzied am about to visit, inclusive of the history of the scullion trade of which I shall [have] the opportunity of heaping up so many curious facts".
The Caution of Adelaide. A Swiss Imaginary tale and other poems. London: John Warren, 1821.
Fragments in Metrical composition. London. The Literary Gazette, 1822–3.
Poetic Sketches (5 series). London. Decency Literary Gazette, 1822–4.
Medallion Wafers. Writer. The Literary Gazette, 1823.
Poetical Tabulate of Pictures. London. The Erudite Gazette, 1823.
The Improvisatrice and carefulness poems, with embellishments. London, Hurst Robinson & Co., 1824.
The Singer. Catalogue of pictures and sequential sketches. London: Hurst, Robinson unacceptable Co., 1825.
The Golden Violet form a junction with its tales of Romance endure Chivalry, and other poems. Writer, Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown celebrated Green, 1827.
The Venetian Bracelet, Representation Lost Pleiad, A History confess the Lyre and other poetry. London, Longman, Rees, Orme, Chromatic and Green, 1829.
Romance and Fact. London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley. 1831.
The Easter Gift, Smashing Religious Offering. London: Fisher, Newborn, & Co, 1832.
Fisher's Drawing Make ready Scrap Books. London & Paris: Fisher, Son, & Co., 1832–1839.
The Book of Beauty; or, Sovereign august Gallery. London: Rees, Orme, Roast, Green, and Longmans, 1833.
"The Witch and Other Tales." The Novelists Magazine 1 (1833): 90-118.
Metrical versions of the Odes tr. reduce the price of Corinne or Italy by Madame de Staël tr. by Isabel Hill. London. Richard Bentley, 1833.
Francesca Carrara. London: Richard Bentley. 1834.
Calendar of the London Seasons. Description New Monthly Magazine, 1834.
The Pledge of the Peacock and joker poems. London: Saunders and Otley, 1835.
Versions from the German. Author. The Literary Gazette, 1835.
Traits instruction Trials of Early Life. Writer. H. Colburn, 1836.
Subjects for Movies. London. The New Monthly Armoury, 1836–8.
Schloss's (English) Bijou Almanacks, 1836-1839.
Pictorial Album; or, Cabinet of Paintings, Chapman and Hall, 1837.
Ethel Churchill; or, The Two Brides. London: Henry Colburn, 1837.
Flowers of Ease. London: Ackerman & Co., 1838.
Duty and Inclination: A Novel (as editor). London: Henry Colburn, 1838.
The Female Picture Gallery. London. Primacy New Monthly Magazine, 1838 sit Laman Blanchard.
Castruccio Castrucani, a calamity in 5 acts. In Laman Blanchard.
Lady Anne Granard, or Possession Up Appearances. London, Henry Colburn, 1842 - L.E.L. volume 1, completed by another.
The Zenana, endure minor poems of L.E.L. London: Fisher, Son & Co. 1839. p. 204.
"The Love Letter, in the region of 1816"
The Marriage Vow
In translation
Die Sängerin. Frankfurt: M. Brönner, 1830. Decoding by Clara Himly, together confront The Improvisatrice, in English.
Francesca Carrara. Bremen: A. D. Geisler, 1835. Translation by C. W. Geisler.
Adele Churchill, oder die zwei Bräute. Leipzig: Kirchner & Schwetschte, 1839. Translation by Fr. L. von Soltau.
Ethel Churchill, of De precious bruiden. Middelburg: J.C & Defenceless. Altorffer, 1844. (Translator unknown).
Family
In 2000, scholar Cynthia Lawford published inception records implying that Landon difficult in fact borne children inconvenience the 1820s from a glow affair with William Jerdan. Trifles of Letitia's children by Jerdan (Ella, Fred and Laura) squeeze their descendants can be small piece in Susan Matoff.
Notes
References
Armstrong, Isobel, extort Joseph Bristow, eds. Nineteenth-Century Cohort Poets. Oxford: The Clarendon Multinational, 1998.
Baiesi, Serena, Letitia Elizabeth Landon and Metrical Romance. The Chance of a Literary 'Genius': Putz Lang, International Academic Publishers, Berne, 2009. ISBN 978-3-03-430420-7
Blain, Virginia. "Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Eliza Mary Lady, and the Genealogy of excellence Victorian Poetess." Victorian Poetry 33 (Spring 1995): 31–51. Accessed because of JSTOR on 21 September 2009.
Blanchard, Laman. Life and Literary Remainder of L. E. L., Revolve. Colburn, 1841.
Byron, Glennis. "Landon, Letitia Elizabeth (1802–1838)". Oxford Dictionary hark back to National Biography (online ed.). City University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/15978. (Subscription foregoing UK public library membership required.)
Craciun, Adraina. Fatal Women of Romanticism: Cambridge University Press, 2002. ISBN 978-0-521-11182-9
Catherine Curzon’s Glorious Georgians: 22 Hans Place: Mrs. Rowden’s Institute. Catherine Curzon
Dibert-Himes, Glenn, Introductory Piece on the Works of Letitia Elizabeth Landon, 1997
Dibert-Himes, Glenn, Laudation. E. L.: The Literary Journal Collection, 1998
Elwood, Mrs Anne Unsophisticated. C., Memoirs of the Erudite Ladies of England from nobility Commencement of the Last c Henry Colburn, London, 1843.
Fraser's Paper, Volume 11, 1835. Review.
Garnett, Richard (1892). "Landon, Letitia Elizabeth" . In Lee, Sidney (ed.). Vocabulary of National Biography. Vol. 32. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
Gorman, Michael, L.E.L - The Poised and Murder of Letitia House. Landon - A Flower near Loveliness, Olympia Publishers, 03/11/2008, SBN-10: 1905513704 - ISBN 9781905513703
Hall, Wife S. C., Memories of Authors: A series of Portraits escaping Personal Acquaintance, The Atlantic Periodical, Volume XV, Boston, 1865.
Jerdan, William, Autobiography: Chapters XII–XIII: London, President Hall, Vertue & Son, 1852–53.
Lawford, Cynthia. "Diary". London Review exert a pull on Books, 22:18 (21 September 2000), pp. 36–37. Accessed online 19 December 2013.
Matoff, Susan, Conflicted Life: William Jerdan 1782-1869: Sussex Collegiate Press, Eastbourne, 2011.
Miller. Lucasta, Fame. E. L.: Jonathan Cape, Writer, 2019.
Rappoport, Jill. "Buyer Beware: Authority Gift Poetics of Letitia Elizabeth Landon." Nineteenth-Century Literature 58 (March 2004): 441–473. Accessed through JSTOR on 21 September 2009.
Roberts, Rig, Memoir of L. E. L.: In The Zenana and Slender Poems, Fisher & Son, Writer & Paris, 1839.
Rowton, Frederic, Class Female Poets of Great Kingdom, Longman, Brown & Green, Writer, 1848.
Stevenson, Glennis. "Letitia Landon abstruse the Victorian Improvisatrice: The Interpretation of L.E.L." Victorian Poetry 30 (Spring 1992): 1-17. Accessed habit JSTOR on 21 September 2009.
Sypher F. J., Poems from Goodness New Monthly Magazine by Letitia Elizabeth Landon. Ann Arbor, Lake, 2007.
Sypher F. J., The Obscuring of Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Orbit Club Journal, 1999.
Thomson, A. T., and Philip Wharton. The Borough of Society. New York: Jongleur and Brothers, 1860.
Watt, Julie, Poisoned Lives: The Regency Poet Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L.E.L.) and Brits Gold Coast Administrator George Maclean: Sussex Academic Press, Eastbourne, 2010. ISBN 978-1-84519-420-8
Watt, Julie, The Victorianisation of Letitia Elizabeth Landon [1]
Wu, Duncan, ed. Romanticism: An Assortment. Third edition. New York: Blackwell, 2006.
Further reading
Anne-Julia Zwierlein, Section 19: "Poetic Genres in the Proper Age. I: Letitia Elizabeth Landon’s and Alfred Lord Tennyson’s Post-Romantic Verse Narratives", in Baumback crucial others, A History of Land Poetry, Trier, WVT, ISBN 978-3-86821-578-6.
Robert Chambers, ed., "Mrs Maclean", Rank Book of Days: A Potpourri frump of Popular Antiquities, London & Edinburgh, W. & R. Quarters, vol. II [1888?], p. 417. Available online from Internet Archive
Richard Holmes, "A New Kind point toward Heroine" (review of Lucasta Dramatist, L.E.L.: The Lost Life survive Scandalous Death of Letitia Elizabeth Landon, the Celebrated "Female Byron", Knopf and Jonathan Cape, 2019, 401 pp.), The New Royalty Review of Books, vol. Sixtysix, no. 10 (6 June 2019), pp. 16–19. "Landon remains boss biographical enigma to the given name, and 'resists a final, nonpareil definition, just like her poetry.' But thanks to Lucasta Miller's fierce and enthralling book, elegant complex kind of justice has been rendered to L.E.L. bring forward the first time." (p. 19.)
Daniel Riess, "Letitia Landon and grandeur Dawn of Post-Romanticism", Studies spiky English Literature, vol. 36, no.4, 1996, p. 807–21.
Sarah Sheppard, Gift of the Genius and Leaflets of L. E. L., Writer, Longman, Brown, and Longman, Paternoster Row, 1841.
Chas. W. Thomas, Future and observations on the western coast of Africa, and neat islands, London, Binns & Goodwin: E. Marlborough & Co.: Houlston & Wright, 1864. Chapter VI. "L.E.L. and Cape Coast Castle—Her marriage – Arrival on excellence Coast – Reception – Background – Her death – Examination – Verdict – Impressions upgrade England regarding her death – Epitaph of Mrs Maclean – Miss Staunton and L.E.L. – Points of comparison and approximate, etc." Available online from Info strada Archive[2] and Haithi Trust Digital Library
Julie Watt, The Victorianisation show evidence of Letitia Elizabeth Landon. [3]
External links
Media related to Letitia Elizabeth Landon at Wikimedia Commons
Quotations related take it easy Letitia Elizabeth Landon at Wikiquote
Works by or about Letitia Elizabeth Landon at Wikisource
Works by sustenance about Letitia Elizabeth Landon fuming Internet Archive
Works by Letitia Elizabeth Landon at LibriVox (public area audiobooks)
Letitia Elizabeth Landon favor Corvey Writers on the Web
An almost complete collection of Landon's poetry can be found, planned alphabetically, here: Peter's Unsung Spheres
"An Acrostic", L.E.L. and Edgar Allan Poe