Anne Bradstreet
Overview
 
Anne Dudley Bradstreet (c. 1612 – September 16, 1672) was New England's first published poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...

. Her work met with a positive reception in both the Old World
Old World
The Old World consists of those parts of the world known to classical antiquity and the European Middle Ages. It is used in the context of, and contrast with, the "New World" ....

 and the New World.
Bradstreet was born Anne Dudley in Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...

, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

, 1612. She was the daughter of Thomas Dudley
Thomas Dudley
Thomas Dudley was a colonial magistrate who served several terms as governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Dudley was the chief founder of Newtowne, later Cambridge, Massachusetts, and built the town's first home...

, a steward of the Earl of Lincoln
Earl of Lincoln
Earl of Lincoln is a title that has been created eight times in the Peerage of England.-Earls of Lincoln, First Creation :*William d'Aubigny, 1st Earl of Lincoln and 1st Earl of Arundel Earl of Lincoln is a title that has been created eight times in the Peerage of England.-Earls of Lincoln, First...

, and Dorothy Yorke. Due to her family's position she grew up in cultured circumstances and was a well-educated woman for her time, being tutored in history, several languages and literature.
Quotations

What to my Saviour shall I giveWho freely hath done this for me?I'll serve him here whilst I shall liveAnd Loue him to Eternity

By Night when Others Soundly Slept

A Spring returns, and they more youthful made;But Man grows old, lies down, remains where once he's laid.

Contemplations

"Sister," quoth Flesh, "what liv'st thou onNothing but Meditation?

The Flesh and the Spirit

Such cold mean flowers the spring puts forth betime,Before the sun hath thoroughly heat the clime.

Of the Four Ages of Man

Leave not thy nest, thy dam and sire,Fly back and sing amidst this choir.

In Reference to her Children, 23 June 1659

If ever two were one, then surely we.If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;If ever wife was happy in a man,Compare with me ye women if you can.

To my Dear and Loving Husband

The principal might yield a greater sum,Yet handled ill, amounts but to this crumb;

To Her Father with Some Verses

Youth is the time of getting, middle age of improving, and old age of spending.

3

Authority without wisdom is like a heavy axe without an edge, fitter to bruise than polish.

12

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.

14

 
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