Hemans, Felicia; Tuckerman, H. T.; Griswold, Rufus W. [editor]. Poems by Felicia Hemans, with An Essay on Her Genius, by H. T. Tuckerman. Philadelphia: Sorin and Ball, 1846. First Edition. [10335]
A well-worn, complete copy. Faded teal cloth decorated in gilt & blind, 7 1/2 x 5 inches, small chips at spine ends, corners frayed, binding is soiled. Portrait of Hemans with printed signature and tissue guard, extra engraved title page plus four additional steel engravings. 347 pp., shaken, complete with nothing detached. The text is foxed, with some stains. A suitable reading copy. Poor. Hardcover.
Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793-1835), b. Liverpool, England; d. Dublin, Ireland. Her father was a merchant of Irish descent, and the family moved to Ireland when Felicia was seven years old after his business failed. Her mother was the daughter of an Austrian and Tuscan consul at Liverpool, and fluent in several languages. She was educated by her mother and learned Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and German, played the piano and harp, and was an avid reader from childhood. Felicia's parents published a book of her poems when she was only 14 years of age, and although admired by her parents the book was a failure. Six years later she was published again, and her prolific and successful literary career began.
"In her lifetime, Hemans' poetry was in great demand, and she received many awards and honors. She was admired by the notables, including Lord Jeffrey, Lord Byron, Marguerite, Contess of Blessington, and Christopher North." - encyclopedia dot com.
After her death William Wordsworth, Letitia Elizabeth Landon, Lydia Huntley Sigourney, and Walter Savage Landor each composed memorial verses in her honor.
