Bishop - Background

Elizabeth Bishop

1

- Born in 1911 in Massachusetts
- Father died when she was a baby -> mother bad a mental breakdown and was institutionalized (never reunited)
- Maternal grandparents took care of her in Nova Scotia
- Bishop was very happy in Nova Scotia - she became a keen fisherwoman

2

- In 1917 her fathers family claimed custody and she moved back to Massachusetts
- She was very unhappy here
- Developed chronic asthma - received little formal schooling until her teenage years
- At 14 she attended boarding school - Went on to study eng lit in the exclusive Vassar college, NY

3

- Father left her a sum of money - lasted many years and allowed her to travel and focus on her writing
- 1951, Bishop met Lota de Macedo Soares, a Brazilian architect
- lived together in Rio de Janeiro until Lota’s death in 1967
- Moved back to the US and taught at Harvard

4

- She received numerous awards for her published works
- Her poetry does not focus on her personal life
- Didn't openly write about her sexuality, depression, or alcoholism
- Wanted to be remembered for her work, not details of her life