Frances Sargent Osgood
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Frances Sargent Osgood (nee Locke) (June 18, 1811 – May 12, 1850) was an American poet, famous for her exchange of poems with Edgar Allan Poe.
Contents |
[edit] Life
She was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Joseph Locke and Mary Ingersoll. She had an older sister, Anna Maria Wells, who would also become a published poet. Her poetry was published from an early age, first by editor Lydia Maria Child in a book of children's poetry. After meeting through a portrait sitting, Frances (known as "Fanny") married painter Samuel Stillman Osgood on October 7, 1835, with whom she had two children. After their marriage, the couple spent five years in England. While in England, she published her collection A Wreath of Flowers from New England. Returning to America to live in New York, Osgood became a popular member of the New York literary society and a prolific writer. She was one of the more well-known female poets of her time. [1]
She died of tuberculosis in 1850.
[edit] Appearance
Edgar Allan Poe spoke of Osgood as being "about medium height and slender; complexion usually pale; hair black and glossy; eyes a clear, luminous grey, large and with great capacity for expression." [2]
[edit] Relationship with Edgar Allan Poe
In February of 1845, Poe gave a lecture in New York in which he criticed American poetry, especially Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He made special mention, however, of Osgood, saying she had "a rosy future" in literature. Though she missed the lecture, she wrote to her friend, saying Poe was "called the severest critic of the day," making his compliment that much more impressive.[3]
It is believed Poe and Osgood first met in person in March of that year when Osgood had been separated from (but not divorced from) her husband. Poe's wife Virginia was still alive, but in ill health. Poe may have been attracted to Osgood because they were both born in Boston and possibly due to her childlike qualities which were similar to Virginia's. She may have already been in an early stage of tuberculosis, just like Virginia.[4]
Poe used his role as one-third owner of the Broadway Journal to print some of her poems, including some flirtatious ones, often under pseudonyms Kate Carol or Violet Vane. Poe responded with published poems of his own, most notably "A Valentine." The poem is actually a riddle which conceals Osgood's name, found by taking letter 1 from line 1, letter 2 from line 2, and so on. Much was rumoured of their relationship but nothing definitive exists to show proof of any impropriety.
Oddly, Poe's wife Virginia approved of the relationship and often invited Osgood to visit their home. Virginia believed their friendship had a "restraining" effect on her husband. Poe had given up alcohol to impress Osgood. Virginia may also have been aware of her own impending death and was looking for someone who would take care of Poe.[5]
It is unclear how the relationship soured, but Osgood gave birth to her third child in June of 1845. This may imply a reconciliation with her husband, Samuel. Regardless, Poe had begun to turn his attentions to another young female poet named Elizabeth Ellett.
Poe was not the only man to engage in literary flirtation with Osgood. Several men wrote of their affection for her, including Rufus Wilmot Griswold. Osgood actually dedicated a book of poetry to Griswold. The competition between Griswold and Poe for Osgood may have lead to their infamous rivalry, best exemplified in Griswold's character assassination of Poe after his death (see Death of Edgar Allan Poe).[6]
[edit] See also
- "To Frances" poem by Edgar Allan Poe
- "To F——s S. O——d" poem by Edgar Allan Poe
- Sarah Elmira Royster - A childhood sweetheart of Poe
- Sarah Helen Whitman - Had a similar relationship with Poe
[edit] References
- ^ Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance. Harper Perennial, 1991. p. 281
- ^ Meyers, Jeffrey. Edgar Allan Poe: His Life and Legacy. Cooper Square Press, 1992. p. 174
- ^ Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance. Harper Perennial, 1991. p. 281-2
- ^ Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance. Harper Perennial, 1991. p. 279-82
- ^ Silverman, Kenneth. Edgar A. Poe: Mournful and Never-ending Remembrance. Harper Perennial, 1991. p. 287
- ^ Meyers, Jeffrey. Edgar Allan Poe: His Life and Legacy. Cooper Square Press, 1992. p. 209
