Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861). An astute scholar, Browning was reading Homer and Greek by age 10, and had written her first epic poem by age 19. Though supportive to the point of patronage, Browning’s father would not let her marry. In 1845 Browning married Robert Browning and the couple fled to Italy, where they supported Italian unity. Browning also championed social reform and the role of women in literature. Browning is best known for Aurora Leigh and Sonnets from the Portuguese.
