A Brief Biography of Emily Bronte

By Tim Lambert

Emily Bronte was a great writer of the early 19th century. Emily was born on 30 July 1818 in Market Street in Thornton bear the rapidly growing town of Bradford in Yorkshire. Her father Patrick Bronte was a clergyman. Her mother was Maria Bronte. The couple had 6 children. Emily was their 5th child. In 1820 the Bronte family moved to the village of Haworth. Unfortunately in 1821 her mother Maria Bronte died. Her aunt came from Cornwall to look after the family.

In 1824 Emily Bronte was sent to the clergy daughter’s school in Cowan Bridge in Lancashire. However, two of her sisters, who were also at the school, Maria Bronte and Elizabeth Bronte died of tuberculosis. Emily Bronte then returned home to be cared for by her aunt. Emily was then educated at home.

In 1842 Emily was sent to Brussels with her sister Charlotte Bronte. However, they both returned home in January 1844 and Emily became a housekeeper. Meanwhile, Emily wrote poetry. A book of poems by Emily Bronte and her two sisters Charlotte and Anne was published in 1846. The famous novel by Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights was published in December 1847.

Unfortunately, Emily fell ill in November 1848. Emily Bronte died on 19 December 1848. She was only 30 years old. Emily was buried in Haworth Church on 22 December 1848.

Bronte Parsonage Museum