Author, Poet. Born in London to ex-patriate Italian Gabriele Rossetti and his wife Frances Polidori, she was the younger sister of celebrated artist and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Rossetti’s childhood appeared to have been a comfortable but sheltered existence. She educated at home and fell under the influence of her mother, a very Anglican Christian, and tended to remain at home. Her social life was limited mostly to those who she was introduced to her by her more outgoing brothers. Described by her brother Dante as a beauty, Christina would be engaged to one of his colleagues in the Pre-Raphaelite circle and was reported to have had an interest in at least two other important artistic figures of the time. She ended her engagement due to religious differences, which would also play apart in not following through with the other two relationships. She was devout Anglican and was troubled by the religious leanings (or lack of) espoused by her suitors. Early in her adulthood, Rossetti’s father would retire from his career due to ill health. This would prompt her mother and she to start a day school, but gave up the scheme after about a year. After that, she devoted her time to writing poetry eventually publishing “The Goblin Market and Other Poems”. She followed this up with “The Princes’ Progress and Other Poems”, but this volume was not as much of a critical success as the first. She would continue to write poetry and prose, later turning to children’s literature. Several of her poems would be published independently by various literary magazines, and she would also write several essays for The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Rossetti lived with ill health for much of her later life coping with Grave’s Disease as well mental health issues. She eventually developed cancer which she would die of at the age of 64.
Author, Poet. Born in London to ex-patriate Italian Gabriele Rossetti and his wife Frances Polidori, she was the younger sister of celebrated artist and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Rossetti’s childhood appeared to have been a comfortable but sheltered existence. She educated at home and fell under the influence of her mother, a very Anglican Christian, and tended to remain at home. Her social life was limited mostly to those who she was introduced to her by her more outgoing brothers. Described by her brother Dante as a beauty, Christina would be engaged to one of his colleagues in the Pre-Raphaelite circle and was reported to have had an interest in at least two other important artistic figures of the time. She ended her engagement due to religious differences, which would also play apart in not following through with the other two relationships. She was devout Anglican and was troubled by the religious leanings (or lack of) espoused by her suitors. Early in her adulthood, Rossetti’s father would retire from his career due to ill health. This would prompt her mother and she to start a day school, but gave up the scheme after about a year. After that, she devoted her time to writing poetry eventually publishing “The Goblin Market and Other Poems”. She followed this up with “The Princes’ Progress and Other Poems”, but this volume was not as much of a critical success as the first. She would continue to write poetry and prose, later turning to children’s literature. Several of her poems would be published independently by various literary magazines, and she would also write several essays for The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. Rossetti lived with ill health for much of her later life coping with Grave’s Disease as well mental health issues. She eventually developed cancer which she would die of at the age of 64.
Bio by: Catharine
Inscription
ALSO TO THE MEMORY OF / ELIZABETH ELEANOR / WIFE OF THEIR ELDER SON / DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI / WHO DIED FEBRUARY 11th 1862 / AGED 30 YEARS / ALSO OF CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI, / DAUGHTER OF / GABRIELE AND FRANCES ROSSETTI.
Family Members
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