Emily Dickinson was a masterful poet that has left many praiseworthy works. Many authors have even dedicated the very first pages of their books to her poetry. And despite the pressures of societal norms back then, Dickinson still managed to carve out for herself a place in the literary world, becoming one of America’s most beloved writers of all time.

Dickinson was born on December 10th, 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts. Her father was a lawyer, and while her family was by no means wealthy, they were still influential. Dickinson never caused trouble, and was described as a quiet child. She had a close relationship with her father, but she didn’t get along with her mother. Eventually, she attended Mount Holyoke College, only to withdraw approximately 10 months later due to bad health. To fill the time, she did regular household chores and attended community events.

When Dickinson turned 18, she met a lawyer named Benjamin Newton who introduced her to the writings of William Wordsworth and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Her brother also gave her Kavanagh by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and her friends gave her a copy of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. Many works her loved ones had to smuggle in for fear her father might disapprove, but nevertheless, Dickinson began cultivating a passion for literature.

Soon, Dickinson became depressed due to isolation, as well as the fact that Leonard Humphrey, the principal of Amherst Academy, died. During this time, she became particularly close with Susan Gilbert, her sister-in-law. In the 1850s, Dickinson’s mother became ill, and suffered from a variety of chronic illnesses, thus confining Dickinson to her home to take care of her.

Around the 1860s, Dickinson became more withdrawn. Rather than talk with people directly, she would speak to them through the door. She wouldn’t leave her house unless it was absolutely necessary. Whenever she did go out, she would wear white, and when strangers started discussing Dickinson’s eccentricities, family and friends would protect her. But though Dickinson was a very private woman, she went out of her way to leave small gifts for her loved ones. She eventually died of a stroke, and was buried on the family plot.

While she was a prolific writer, only a dozen poems were published when she was alive. Her younger sister, Lavinia, took it upon herself to publish her poetry posthumously. Many of the poems were edited to fit the tastes of the time. Even so, she still garnered attention as a poet, so much so she carried influence into the 20th century, where she was praised by a number of critics, including Allen Tate and Yvor Winters.

Many similar themes are found in Dickinson’s poetry. She has been seen as a Transcendentalist, while others see Dickinson as a satirist. Many poems involve flowers, which could be seen as an allusion to human emotions, as well as humility and youth. There were also many poems that reflected on death and dying, as well as Christian principals, that often reflected a more spiritual image regarding self-reflection.

Many of Dickinson’s influences can still be seen today. Her works have been used as inspiration from a variety of female artists, some of which include The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago and A Quiet Passion by Terence Davies. There was even a garden in France named in her honor, titled “Square Emily-Dickinson.” She continues to remain an influential figure in American culture, and had the honor of being cemented into the immortality of literary archives.