Anne Bradstreet Poetry
Anne Bradstreet poetry
Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) was one of the first American poets, and her life and work evoke a vivid picture of Colonial America and reflect her Puritan faith and love for her family. Her work can be placed in the literary context of Renaissance (also known as Augustan) literature with its interest in the classical world, the humanities, and the practical application of religion. Anne received a thorough classical education in England before her family moved to the New World, and you can see this reflected in the quality of her poetry.
Here is a selection of the Anne Bradstreet poetry currently hosted here.
- The Author to Her Book
- By Night When Others Soundly Slept
- Contemplations
- A Dialogue between Old England and New
- The Flesh and the Spirit
- The Four Ages of Man
- In Honour of that High and Mighty Princess, Queen Elizabeth
- In Reference to Her Children, 23 June 1659
- Prologue
- To My Dear and Loving Husband
- Verses upon the Burning of Our House, July 18th, 1666
Text from the Agawam-Ipswich Historical Marker
“Among the founders and early residents of Ipswich – 1630 – were John Winthrop, Junior, scientist and industrial pioneer; Nathaniel Ward, lawmaker and wit; Richard Bellingham and Richard Saltonstall, magistrates who defended popular rights; Simon Bradstreet and his wife Anne, who wrote poetry of enduring beauty.”
Massachusetts Bay Colony Tercentenary Commission” Agawam – Ipswich
Photo by Flickr.com user Elizabeth Thomsen
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If you find Bradstreet interesting, you may want to read Beyond Stateliest Marble: The Passionate Femininity of Anne Bradstreet by Douglas Wilson, which is part of the Leaders in Action Series (affiliate link). I have not read it, but have seen decent reviews.