1. Emily Dickinson Biography

2. Place of birth Date of birth Amherst, MA December 10, 1830

3. Date of death Amherst, MA Place of death May 15, 1886 Burial location West Cemetery, Triangle St., Amherst, MA

4. Interesting facts about childhood Brilliant, determined student Had a brother, Austin, and sister, Lavinia Enjoyed reading clubs, outdoor activities and social events Attended Mount Holyoke Female Seminary for two years

5. Place(s) where this author lived. Include dates and explain how each place influenced them. Amherst, MA – was a recluse Traveled once to Philadelphia and Washington, DC.

6. How did this author become inspired to write? Some of her favorite topics were: Love Nature Friendship Death Immortality

7. Where applicable, explain any obstacles this writer faced She couldn’t get published because her poems – didn’t look like they were “supposed” to – didn’t rhyme – had weird figures of speech – had radical ideas

8. How successful was this author during his/her lifetime? Rejected by publishers Only seven poems published during her lifetime

9. If the author wasn’t successful or popular at the time of their death, explain how and why they are still well known today Poems published in booklets in 1890 – critical & financial success – demand for more Unaltered, complete poems published in 1955; her influence finally acknowledged

10. Why is this author considered influential? Considered one of the founders of Modern American poetry

11. Identify 3-5 characteristics of this author and give specific examples Reclusive – almost never left home after 1874 Prolific – wrote 1,775 completed poems Creative – striking imagery & unique style The Homestead, Amherst, MA http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/differences/v010/10.3fuss_fig01a.ht ml