Emily Dickinson's Milestones
Birth
Emily Dickinson was born in Amherst, Massachusetts, to Edward and Emily Norcross Dickinson.
Early education at Amherst Academy
Attended Amherst Academy, excelling in literature and science.
Education at Mount Holyoke
Attended Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, but left after one year.
Close friendship with Susan Gilbert
Formed a lifelong close friendship and correspondence with Susan Gilbert, who later married her brother Austin.
Began writing poetry
Began composing poetry, developing her unique style.
Mother's illness and care
Cared for her ailing mother, who was bedridden for much of her later life.
Correspondence with literary figures
Maintained extensive correspondence with Thomas Wentworth Higginson and other literary figures.
Reclusive period
Lived much of her life in seclusion, rarely leaving her home in Amherst.
Major period of poetic output
Wrote hundreds of poems during this period, many of which are now considered classics.
Death of father
Her father's death deeply affected her.
Death of mother
Her mother's death marked another profound loss.
Declining health
Suffered from worsening health in her final years, likely due to Bright's disease.
Death
Emily Dickinson died in Amherst, Massachusetts, leaving behind nearly 1,800 poems.