The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-06
HIS CAREER.
Brief Acc Iun. OF the Life OF Lord
Tennyson.


Tennyson.
Lord Tennyson. born plain Alfred Ten
nyson, first saw the light in his fathers
parsonage at Somersby, in Lincolnshire,
the third Of a family of twelve children.
An uncle, Charles TennysoD, claiming
descent from the Norman family Of d'Eyn-
court, sought and received permission to
add that name to his own and became
Cabinet Minister under Peel. There is
much dispute over the exact date OF the
poets birth. Some excellent authorities
give 1910 as the year, but the weight OF aa-
thority is in favor Of 1909
He was educated at Trinity College,
Cambridge. which, like Thackeray. he left
without taking q degree. There he gained
the Chancellor's medal by a poem in blank
verse entitled "Tmbuctoo," in 1929 This
was followed within a year by the volume of
Poems by Two Brothers," the joint pro-
duetiOn Of Alfred Tennyson and his
brother Charles. As much as $50 has been
paid by bibiophils anxious to complete
collections Of TenDysoniana for a copy Of
this first book. In 1880 TenByson's Poems.
Chiefly Lyrical" appeared, ana thence is
traced the steady growth of his fame 1t
was followed quickly by the "Morte
d'Artnury (the first Of the "Idyls Of the
and Two Voices" In 1s47 he wrole "The
Princess" his first long poem.
His fame was made sure and enduring by
''In Memoriam," the magnificent tribute Of
affection written on the death Of his friend.
Arthur Hallam, son of the historian. BY
many eminent critics this poem is coDsid-
cred the greatest poem Of the century,
judged by its deep and powerful influence.
The marvellous monOdies of I'm Mem0riam"
are Respondent with gems of the deepest
and tenderest philosophic thought
On the death OF Wordsworth, in 1853,
1oA N hn
from the brOws of him who uttered nothing
base" And nobly has be fulfilled his func-
tions Of poet laureate. as the stirring verses
on the Charge of the Light Brigade" the
lode on the Death of the Duke of Yelling
ton." and his welcome to the Danish bride
of the Prince of Wales bear witness.
"Maud" appeared in 1856. ''Enoch Arden
and Other Poems" in 1864, 'The Holy
Grail" in 1869 and "The Widow in 1870.
Since then Tennyson has devoted himself
mainly 10 dramatic works. Queen Mary"
1.-The Cup" "Harold" and Beckett" fol-
lowed each other in rapid succession. The
first two were produced on the boards OF the
Lyceum by Henry Irving and his company.
Though containing many powerful pas
sages, they are reading rather than acting
plays. and proved dreary failures on the
stage.
Much different, however. was his latest
effort in the dramatic line, namely, "The
Foresters," which San Francisco theater-
goers have so recently had the pleasure OF
seeing, as interpreted by the DAILY Com
pany, with Ada Reban as the idyllic Maid
Marion and John Drew rs Robin Hood, the
peculiarly TeDnysonian outlaw. The sue
cess that this lovely production met with
wherever 1t was played bellies the opinions
of the critics, who few years ego thought
the poets age was showing itself in lack
of mental power and skill in the execution
of his later works.
In 1851 TennysOn was married to Emily
Sellwo0d and thereafter gave up London
for life at FaringfoTd, In the Isle OF Wight,
where he lived for over quarter of a GEN.
tury. About ten years ago he took up his
residence In beautiful place at Aldwortb,
In the Surrey hills. lie has two children. Hal
lam, named after the above mentioned
friend, and Lionel, who has devel-
oped genius as waier-color painter.
ID December. 1SS3 Tennyson was made a
peer OF the realm by his lifelong friend
Mr.. Gladstone. The elevation brought
much criticism on his head, but it seems as
il lie deemed it only gracious and becoming
TO accept the only gift his monarch could
bestow. and he had no silly idea that his real
rank was changed bit by the seats given him
among brewer barons and spendtnrift lords.