What Happened To Elizabeth Barrett's Siblings? A Look Beyond The Poet

Vicky Kertzmann 29 Jul 2025

Have you ever wondered about the people behind the famous names, the family members who shared a life with literary giants? It's a bit like taking a trip down memory lane, isn't it? We often hear about Elizabeth Barrett Browning, her incredible poetry, and that truly romantic elopement with Robert Browning. But what about the rest of her family? What happened to Elizabeth Barrett's siblings? It's a question that, you know, really brings a lot of curiosity for many people who love history and literature, and it's something we're going to explore today.

Her story, while captivating, was just one thread in a much larger family fabric. The Barrett household was, in a way, quite large and, actually, full of different personalities. Each of her ten siblings had their own path, their own joys, and their own sorrows. Their lives, in some respects, were shaped by the same strict, yet loving, father who oversaw their upbringing.

So, understanding what became of them offers a richer, more complete picture of Elizabeth's own life and the Victorian era itself. It's really interesting to see how their individual stories played out, and how, you know, their experiences might have influenced the famous poet we all admire. We're going to uncover some of those stories right here.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Brief Overview
The Barrett Family Tree: A Glimpse
The Tragedy of Bro and the Impact
Henrietta Barrett Moulton: Finding Her Own Way
Arabel Barrett: The Devoted Sister
George Barrett and the Other Brothers
What About the Younger Sisters?
The Legacy of the Barrett Siblings
Frequently Asked Questions About Elizabeth Barrett's Siblings

Elizabeth Barrett Browning: A Brief Overview

Before we look at what happened to Elizabeth Barrett's siblings, let's just quickly remember who she was. Elizabeth Barrett Browning, born in 1806, grew up in a very large family. She was the eldest of twelve children, though only eleven lived past infancy. Her childhood at Hope End, their family estate, was, you know, quite a special time, full of learning and, in a way, a bit of isolation due to her delicate health.

She started writing poetry at a very young age, showing real talent early on. Her father, Edward Moulton Barrett, was, shall we say, a very strong presence in their lives. He really controlled much of what they did, which, as a matter of fact, became a central point in Elizabeth's adult life, especially when she wanted to marry.

Her secret courtship and eventual elopement with fellow poet Robert Browning in 1846 is, of course, one of the most famous love stories in literary history. This act of independence, you see, was a big step for her. It also, quite frankly, created a huge rift with her father. She lived the rest of her life in Italy, continuing to write, and, you know, her work still touches hearts today.

Personal Details and Bio Data of Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Full Name	Elizabeth Barrett Moulton Barrett Browning
Born	March 6, 1806
Died	June 29, 1861 (aged 55)
Birthplace	Coxhoe Hall, Kelloe, County Durham, England
Spouse	Robert Browning (m. 1846)
Child	Robert Wiedeman Barrett Browning ("Pen")
Notable Works	Sonnets from the Portuguese, Aurora Leigh, The Cry of the Children
Known For	Victorian poet, literary love story with Robert Browning, advocacy for social justice

The Barrett Family Tree: A Glimpse

Edward Moulton Barrett and Mary Graham Clarke had twelve children, though as we said, one died in infancy. So, Elizabeth grew up with ten younger siblings. Their names were Edward (known as "Bro"), Henrietta, Mary, Arabel, George, Henry, Alfred, Septimus, Charles, and Octavius. They were, you know, a pretty big family, and their lives were, in a way, very interconnected, especially in their younger years.

The family's wealth came from Jamaican sugar plantations, which, you know, was a common source of income for many families back then, though it had a very dark side. This wealth allowed them a comfortable life, but it also, in a way, meant their father had a lot of control over their futures. This control, you see, is a key part of understanding what happened to Elizabeth Barrett's siblings.

Their father's strong will affected everyone. He really wanted his children to stay close to him, and, actually, he often discouraged them from marrying or leaving the family home. This desire for them to remain nearby, you know, had a big impact on their personal lives, and, in some cases, it led to some real struggles for independence.

The Tragedy of Bro and the Impact

One of the most significant events in Elizabeth's life, and, you know, a truly heartbreaking one for the entire family, was the death of her favorite brother, Edward, whom they called "Bro." This happened in 1840, and it was, quite frankly, a shocking accident. Bro, a bit of a free spirit, was on a sailing trip near Torquay.

He drowned in a boating accident, which was, you know, a terrible blow to everyone. For Elizabeth, it was absolutely devastating. She had been very close to him, and his death, in a way, plunged her into a deep depression. It also, pretty much, made her health even worse for a long time.

This tragedy, you see, reinforced her father's already strict rules and, in a way, made him even more protective and controlling. It's almost as if he felt he needed to keep an even tighter grip on the remaining children. Bro's death, really, cast a long shadow over the Barrett household, and it's a critical piece of the puzzle when we ask what happened to Elizabeth Barrett's siblings.

Henrietta Barrett Moulton: Finding Her Own Way

Henrietta was Elizabeth's next younger sister, and, you know, she shared a lot of Elizabeth's spirit for independence. She too fell in love and wanted to marry, which, as a matter of fact, was a huge point of contention with their father. Edward Moulton Barrett, you see, really disapproved of his daughters marrying.

Despite her father's objections, Henrietta eventually eloped with her sweetheart, Captain William Surtees Cook, in 1850. This was, in a way, a very brave act, especially after Elizabeth had done the same. Her father, naturally, reacted very badly, and, in fact, he disinherited her and refused to see her again.

Henrietta and William had three children, and, you know, she lived a relatively happy life with her family, though she did miss her father's approval. Her story, in some respects, shows the strong will that ran in the Barrett family, and how, you know, some of the siblings chose love over their father's wishes. She died in 1860, a year before Elizabeth, and, in a way, her life was a testament to finding happiness on her own terms.

Arabel Barrett: The Devoted Sister

Arabel was another of Elizabeth's sisters, and, you know, she played a very different role in the family. Unlike Elizabeth and Henrietta, Arabel never married. She remained at home, living with her father and, in a way, becoming his devoted companion and caretaker. This was, pretty much, a common path for many unmarried women in Victorian society.

She was, you know, very close to Elizabeth and maintained a regular correspondence with her after Elizabeth moved to Italy. These letters are, in fact, a valuable source of information about the Barrett family's life in England. Arabel often shared news about their father, the other siblings, and, you know, the general happenings at home.

Arabel's life was, in a way, one of quiet service and loyalty. She provided a steady presence for her father and, you know, kept the family connections alive, at least through letters, after Elizabeth's elopement. She died in 1868, several years after both Elizabeth and her father, having, in a way, dedicated her life to her family. Her story, you know, really shows a different kind of strength.

George Barrett and the Other Brothers

Now, let's talk a bit about the brothers. George Barrett was, you know, one of the few siblings who also married and had children, despite his father's general disapproval of his children marrying. He was, in a way, a bit more independent than some of the others. George pursued a career in law, which, as a matter of fact, was a respectable path for a gentleman of his standing.

Henry, Alfred, Septimus, Charles, and Octavius, the younger brothers, generally had more varied lives, though, you know, their stories are less documented than the sisters or Bro. Some pursued careers, like Henry, who became a clergyman. Others, you know, remained closer to the family home or, in some respects, lived more private lives.

Their father's control, you see, wasn't quite as absolute over the sons as it was over the daughters, especially regarding marriage. However, his expectations for them were, in a way, still very high. Many of them, you know, continued to live under his financial influence for quite some time. What happened to Elizabeth Barrett's siblings, especially the brothers, often involved navigating these family expectations while trying to find their own way in the world. Some married, some did not, and their paths, you know, diverged quite a bit as they got older.

What About the Younger Sisters?

Beyond Elizabeth, Henrietta, and Arabel, there were also Mary and the other younger sisters. Mary, unfortunately, died relatively young, in 1840, the same year as Bro, which, you know, added another layer of sorrow to the family. Her passing, in a way, was another heavy blow to Elizabeth, who had already been struggling with her own health.

The other sisters, like their brothers, generally lived more private lives, and, you know, less is known about their individual stories compared to the more prominent figures like Elizabeth. They, in some respects, remained within the social circles of their time, following the expected paths for women of their class, which often meant staying at home or marrying into suitable families, if their father allowed it.

Their lives, you know, were still very much shaped by the strictures of Victorian society and, of course, their father's influence. While they might not have achieved the same fame as Elizabeth, their experiences were, in a way, just as real and, you know, paint a fuller picture of the Barrett family's journey. It's really interesting to consider how their lives unfolded in the shadow of their famous sister.

The Legacy of the Barrett Siblings

When we ask what happened to Elizabeth Barrett's siblings, we see a range of experiences. Some, like Bro, met with early tragedy. Others, like Henrietta and George, asserted their independence, even at great personal cost regarding their relationship with their father. Then there were those, like Arabel, who remained loyal and dedicated to the family home.

Their stories, you know, collectively show the complex dynamics within a powerful Victorian family. They highlight the struggles for personal freedom against strict parental control, and, in a way, the different ways people found happiness or meaning in their lives. The Barrett family was, you know, really a microcosm of Victorian society, with its rules, its expectations, and its quiet rebellions.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning's own life and work were, you know, deeply influenced by her family experiences. The deaths of her siblings, her father's control, and the yearning for personal connection all found their way into her poetry. So, understanding what happened to Elizabeth Barrett's siblings, in a way, helps us understand her better too. It's almost like looking at the background of a beautiful painting; it gives the main subject even more depth.

To learn more about Elizabeth Barrett Browning and her poetry, you can find a lot of information on our site. And, you know, if you're interested in the broader context of Victorian literature, you might also want to check out this page on Victorian literary figures. It's really quite fascinating to see how all these lives connect.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elizabeth Barrett's Siblings

Did Elizabeth Barrett Browning have a brother who drowned?

Yes, she did. Her beloved brother, Edward, whom everyone called "Bro," tragically drowned in a boating accident near Torquay in 1840. This event, you know, had a really profound and lasting impact on Elizabeth, and, in a way, it greatly affected her health and emotional state for many years after.

How many siblings did Elizabeth Barrett Browning have?

Elizabeth Barrett Browning was the eldest of twelve children born to Edward Moulton Barrett and Mary Graham Clarke. However, one child died in infancy, so she grew up with ten younger siblings. So, in total, you know, there were eleven children who reached adulthood in the family.

What was Elizabeth Barrett Browning's relationship like with her family after she eloped?

Her relationship with her father, Edward Moulton Barrett, was, quite frankly, completely severed after her elopement with Robert Browning. He disinherited her and refused to communicate with her again. However, she maintained a very close and, you know, loving relationship with several of her siblings, especially her sisters Henrietta and Arabel, through regular letters. They were, in a way, her lifeline to home.

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