Emily Dickinson Biography

When and where was Emily Dickinson born?

Emily Dickinson was born December 10, 1830 in Amherst, Massachusetts. Emily Dickinson was born in the same house in which she spent almost every day of her life. Emily Dickinson gained no recognition or fame in her time and even her own parents, with whom she lived until they died, never knew Emily Dickinson, their daughter, was a gifted writer.

About Emily Dickinson 's hometown - Amherst, Massachusetts

In the mid 18th century, Amherst was a remote Puritan village, population 3000, located a full day's journey from any city. Although the surrounding hillsides were lovely, in summer Amherst was sluggish and dull, and in winter it was desolate and freezing, temperatures hovering near zero.

But Emily Dickinson and her entire family were deeply attached to the town and left only when they had to. "We're the birds who stay," she said. Among the many signatures with which she signed her letters, was simply, "Amherst."

Because of Amherst College, the town had a lively intellectual community, in spite of its remoteness. It also had more ministers per capita than any other town in the nation.

Emily Dickinson resisted the weekly sermons and the pressure on her to become a Congregationalist. Emily Dickinson said she loved the world too much to give it up for Christ. And yet by the time she was only 23, she had already begun to turn her back on it.

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