Emily Dickinson: The Solitary Genius of American Poetry
Early Life and Education
Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was the second of three children born to Edward and Emily Norcross Dickinson. Her father was a prominent lawyer and politician, while her mother was more reserved, focusing on the household. Emily grew up in a deeply religious and conservative environment, attending Amherst Academy and later Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. Although she excelled academically, Dickinson withdrew from Mount Holyoke after less than a year, a decision that has been attributed to homesickness, health issues, and perhaps her discomfort with the school’s religious fervor.
