Coventry Kersey Dighton Patmore (1823–1896) was an influential English poet and critic, best known for his poetic sequence "The Angel in the House." Born on July 23, 1823, in Woodford, Essex, Patmore was the son of Peter George Patmore, a writer and literary figure. His upbringing in a literary environment had a significant impact on his future career.
Early Life and Education
Patmore was initially educated at home by his father and later attended schools in Colchester and Hastings. Despite a brief and unsatisfactory stint at the British Museum as an assistant librarian, he pursued his literary ambitions, publishing his first volume of poems, Poems (1844), when he was only 21. This early work showed promise and garnered the attention of established poets such as Alfred Tennyson.
Personal Life
In 1847, Patmore married Emily Augusta Andrews. Their relationship inspired much of his most famous work. Tragically, Emily died in 1862, leaving Patmore devastated. He later remarried twice, first to Marianne Byles in 1864, who died in 1880, and then to Harriet Robson in 1881.
Literary Career
Patmore's most celebrated work is The Angel in the House, a lengthy narrative poem published in parts between 1854 and 1863. The poem idealizes domestic life and the role of the devoted wife, reflecting Victorian values. Although it received mixed critical reception during his lifetime, its influence on Victorian culture was profound, particularly regarding notions of marriage and gender roles.
After the death of his first wife, Patmore's work took on a more introspective and religious tone. He converted to Roman Catholicism in 1864, which influenced his later poetry and prose. Works such as The Unknown Eros (1877) reflect his deepening spiritual concerns and explore themes of love and divine inspiration.
Later Years and Legacy
In addition to his poetry, Patmore was a respected critic and essayist. He contributed to various periodicals and wrote several critical essays, notably Principle in Art (1889) and Religio Poetae (1893). His work as a critic was noted for its insight and precision, influencing contemporary literary thought.
Patmore spent his later years in seclusion, dedicating himself to his literary and religious pursuits. He died on November 26, 1896, in Lymington, Hampshire.
Patmore's legacy is complex. While The Angel in the House has been both praised for its lyrical quality and critiqued for its conservative portrayal of women, his influence on Victorian literature and culture remains significant. Modern critics have re-evaluated his work, recognizing its artistic merit and the depth of his spiritual exploration.
References
- Armstrong, Isobel. Victorian Poetry: Poetry, Poetics and Politics. Routledge, 1993.
- Battiscombe, Georgina. Coventry Patmore: Portrait of a Mind. Constable, 1949.
- Baum, Paull F. Coventry Patmore. Columbia University Press, 1929.
- Patmore, Coventry. The Angel in the House. Edited with an introduction by Derek Brewer. Carcanet Press, 1974.
- Radley, Alan. Coventry Patmore. Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1976.