The Immortal Lovers: Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning

by Frances Winwar

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Frances Winwar (née Francesca Vinciguerra; 3 May 1900 – 24 July 1985), was a Sicilian-born American biographer, translator, fiction writer and antifascist activist.

Winwar was born Francesca Vinciguerra in Taormina, Sicily and came to the United States through Ellis Island in June 1907. Her pseudonym Winwar is an Anglicization of her birth name; she was required to change her name as a condition of publishing her first book. She was the daughter of Domenico Vinciguerra and the singer Giovanna Sciglio and after emigrating to the United States the family settled in New York. Winwar studied at Hunter College and Columbia University.

Winwar started her career at The Masses magazine at the age of 18. Following the publication of an essay in The Freeman in 1923 she worked for the magazine and did further work for the New York Times, New Republic and the Saturday Review of Literature.

Winwar is best known for her series of romanticized biographies of nineteenth century English writers. She was also a frequent translator of classic Italian works into English and published several romantic novels set during historical events.

In the 1930s and 1940s, Winwar was an outspoken opponent of Italian Fascism.

Winwar died in New York in 1985.[3]

Reviews

[J. Alfred · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has occasionally happened that, when I read a book, I get pretty darn jealous, thinking that I wish I had written said book. This was a more on-point experiance: in that I'm currently writing a thesis on EBB, this is in fact the book I'd have liked to have written. In any case, it is a beautifully worked biography of both Browning and Elizabeth Barrett which integrates source material seamlessly. It's wonderful. Sigh.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! I've never read a biography of these two, but I have always been intrigued by this romance that seemed too good to be real. However, this biography shows that these two were flesh and blood, complete with imperfections, who just happened to be the perfect match for one another; their life together was beautiful! Well worth reading.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed learning more about the amazing love between Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning. I like a good love story - people that defy the odds and love for keeps.

[Hailey Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

looooove myself some elizabeth barret browning

[Theresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I grew bored with this book. Only made it about 1/2 way and quit.

[lunarlibrarian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Winwar was like a bouncing ball -- jumping from HERE to THERE and just about EVERYWHERE. And for some reason he found it relevant to long-winded tangents about all of their acquaintances!
And, he text should have been written in PURPLE if he was planning on over-fictionizing a biography.

[ayeshaxbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

مجھے اس کتاب سے محبت ھے۔ اس کی وجہ یے بھی ہے کہ یے سچی کہانی ہے اور یہ تاریخی پس منظر پر بھی روشنی ڈالتی ھی۔ شاید اس کتاب کو نا خریدتی اگر یہ انتہائی سستے داموں نا ملتی۔ بہر حال، میں خوش ہوں کہ میں نے اسے خریدا اور اپنی کتب الماری کا حصہ بنایا۔

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

who knew there was such love.