Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Reinvented Life – Fiona Sampson
The Not Old Better, Smithsonian Associates Show Art of Living Interview Series
Welcome to The Not Old Better Show, Art of Living Series with Smithsonian Associates. Our guest today is author Fiona Sampson, who’ll be presenting at the Smithsonian Associates, August 17, and more details are available on our website. The title of Fiona Sampson’s presentation at Smithsonian Associates is Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Reinvented Life. Fiona Ruth Sampson, a Member of the British Empire, and is a British poet and writer. Fiona Sampson has authored 28 books of poetry and nonfiction, including the acclaimed In Search of Mary Shelley. Fiona Sampson’s new book titled ‘Two Way Mirror,’ the Life of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Britain’s most famous female poet.
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” With these words, Elizabeth Barrett Browning has come down to us as a romantic heroine, a recluse controlled by a domineering father and often overshadowed by her husband, Robert Browning. But she defied cultural constraints—a modern figure whose life is a study in self-invention.
Born in 1806 when women were denied property, a university education, or the vote, Barrett Browning seized control of her private income, overcame long-term illness, eloped to revolutionary Italy with Browning, and achieved lasting literary fame. A feminist icon, political activist, and international literary superstar, she inspired writers from Emily Dickinson to George Eliot, Oscar Wilde, and Virginia Woolf.
That of course is our guest today, author Fiona Sampson, reading from her new book: ‘Two Way Mirror,’ the Life of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. We’ll be discussing Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s extraordinary life, her prolific writing, and feminist icon.
Join us today with our guest, acclaimed writer and poet Fiona Sampson for a nuanced, comprehensive portrait of Britain’s most famous female poet, a woman who invented herself and defied her times.
Please join me in welcoming you to The Not Old Better Show, Art of Living series, Smithsonian Associate Fiona Sampson.
My thanks to our guest today for her generous time and expertise, Fiona Sampson. Fiona Sampson will be presenting at the Smithsonian Associates, August 17, and more details are available on our website. The title of Fiona Sampson’s presentation at Smithsonian Associates is Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Reinvented Life. My thanks to the Smithsonian team for all they do to support the show, and my thanks to you, my wonderful Not Old Better Show audience. Please be safe everyone, wear your masks when needed, encourage those who haven’t to get vaccinated, and let’s Talk About Better. The Not Old Better Show, Smithsonian Associates series. Thanks, everybody.