Anne Brontë was an English novelist and poet, born on January 17, 1820, in Thornton, Yorkshire. She was the youngest member of the renowned Brontë literary family, which included her sisters Emily and Charlotte. While her sisters' works were characterized by romanticism, Anne's writing was sharp, ironic, and realistic, setting her apart in the literary world. Her novels, though not as widely recognized as her sisters', are considered classics of English literature.
Anne's father, Patrick Brontë, was a poor Irish clergyman in the Church of England. The Brontë family lived in Haworth, a parish on the Yorkshire moors, for most of Anne's life. From a young age, Anne showed a precociousness beyond her years. When she was four, in response to her father's question about what a child most wanted, she answered, "age and experience". Anne was particularly close to Emily, and together they created the imaginary world of Gondal.
Anne's experiences as a governess influenced her writing, and she used these experiences to craft her first novel, Agnes Grey, published in 1847. The following year, she published her second novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, which is considered one of the first sustained feminist novels. The novel was an instant success, causing a stir in 19th-century society with its depiction of alcoholism and debauchery. However, after Anne's death, Charlotte prevented the re-publication of the novel, contributing to Anne's lesser-known status compared to her sisters.
Anne's life was cut short when she died of what is now suspected to be pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 29. Despite her short life, Anne left behind a lasting legacy in English literature. Her novels, like those of her sisters, continue to be read and studied, cementing the Brontë family's place in literary history.