Christina Rossetti English Poet

Christina Georgina Rossetti (born December 5, 1830 – died December 29, 1894) was an English poet best known for her devotional verse and works exploring themes of love, faith, and mortality.

Born in London to an artistic Italian family, Rossetti became a central literary figure of the Victorian era. Her poetry collection Goblin Market and Other Poems (1862) brought her widespread acclaim and established her as one of the most original voices of her time.

Her works often reflected deep religious devotion, moral dilemmas, and questions of gender and identity. Poems like Remember and In the Bleak Midwinter remain widely read and anthologized.

Though she struggled with illness throughout her life, Rossetti left a lasting mark on English literature and is celebrated as one of the greatest female poets of the 19th century.

Date of Birth: December 5, 1830

Place of Birth: London, England

Nationality: British

Known for: Goblin Market, Remember, In the Bleak Midwinter

Literary Contributions

Rossetti’s poetry combined lyrical beauty with spiritual depth. Her work often contrasted earthly desires with religious devotion, reflecting her strong Anglican faith. She is regarded as a precursor to modern feminist themes in literature.

Personal Life

Despite her literary fame, Rossetti lived a relatively quiet life, declining marriage proposals that conflicted with her faith. She endured recurring health issues, including Graves’ disease, which influenced her writing’s contemplative tone.

Death and Legacy

Christina Rossetti died on December 29, 1894, in London. Her influence endures in both poetry and hymnody, and she is remembered as one of Victorian England’s most important literary voices.

Christina Rossetti — Full Bibliography

Year	Title / Work	Category	Notes
Poetry Collections
1847	Verses	Poetry	Privately printed
1862	Goblin Market and Other Poems	Poetry	Major breakthrough
1866	The Prince’s Progress and Other Poems	Poetry	Mature themes
1872	Sing-Song: A Nursery Rhyme Book	Poetry	Children’s verse
1875	A Pageant and Other Poems	Poetry	Devotional tone
1881	A Pageant and Other Poems (new ed.)	Poetry	Expanded edition
1881	A Pageant and Other Poems	Poetry	Revised issue
1881	A Pageant and Other Poems	Poetry	Final form
1890	Poems	Poetry	Collected verse
1893	Verses	Poetry	Late collection
Devotional & Prose Works
1854	Annus Domini	Devotional prose	Church calendar
1869	The Face of the Deep	Religious prose	Revelation study
1877	Seek and Find	Devotional prose	Spiritual guidance
1882	Called to Be Saints	Religious prose	Christian lives
1883	Time Flies: A Reading Diary	Devotional prose	Daily reflections
1885	The Thread of Life	Religious prose	Spiritual essays
1888	Faithful in Much	Religious prose	Moral instruction
Children’s Literature
1874	Speaking Likenesses	Children’s prose	Moral tales
Posthumous Editions
1904	New Poems	Poetry	Posthumous verse
1906	Verses	Poetry	Final collection

Reception & Influence

Central female voice of Victorian poetry with strong Pre-Raphaelite associations.
“Goblin Market” remains a key text in feminist, theological, and symbolic criticism.
Influential in devotional literature as well as lyric and children’s poetry traditions.
Frequently studied alongside Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Victorian religious poets.