A poet in love
Dec 14th, 2009 by houghtonmodern
In 1818, poet John Keats (1795-1821) met Fanny Brawne (1800-1865), his neighbor in Hampstead. Keats was immediately intrigued by Brawne’s intelligence and beauty. The two fell in love, despite the obstacles of Keats’s health and poor finances. They exchanged frequent letters, and Brawne inspired some of Keats’s most well-known poetry.
Houghton is currently exhibiting items relating to Keats’s and Brawne’s relationship, including a selection Keats’s letters to Brawne, a lock of Brawne’s hair, Oscar Wilde’s response to the 1885 auction of Keats’s love letters, and more.
The exhibition will be in Houghton’s Amy Lowell Room until mid-January. The Lowell Room is open to the public Tuesday-Thursday, 9 AM – 7 PM, and Monday, Friday, and Saturday 9 AM – 5 PM. For more information on Houghton’s hours, see Houghton’s website.