The poet Robert Browning was born in London in 1812, son of Robert Browning (1782-1866) and Sarah (Wiedemann). He married Elizabeth Barrett, a famous poet in her own right, in 1846. They lived much of their life in Italy, due to her poor health, and their son was also called Robert (but known as Pen). The Ring and the Bookis considered to be his best work and his poem 'Oh, to be in England, now that April's there' is well known. Browning died in Venice and was to have been buried alongside his wife in Florence but the cemetery had been closed. The Dean of Westminster offered burial in the Abbey and the family accepted. The body was returned to London by train and the burial in Poets' Corner, near Chaucer's monument, took place on 31 December 1889. The Dean had also agreed to the family's request that Elizabeth be re-interred with her husband but then the family withdrew their application.

The gravestone is composed of brown and cream Italian marble and the inscription reads: "ROBERT BROWNING MAY 7 1812 DEC 12 1889". In 1906 an inscription was added at the base of the stone "His wife ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING is buried in Florence 1806-1861". Alfred, Lord Tennyson was laid to rest beside him in 1892 and the ashes of John Masefield, who died in 1967, lie at his head.

A photograph of the stone can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.
Photo: ©Dean and Chapter of Westminster.

Further reading: Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (2004)

Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey

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