Robert Browning (1812 – 1889) was an English poet and playwright.  Born to supportive, educated parents with a keen appreciation for the arts, he was a bright and eager student who loved and wrote poetry before ever reaching his teens.  Recognition and publication were a long time in coming; though Robert's dramatic monologues are today considered brilliant and he is recognized as one of the 19^th century’s most prominent poets, he endured much criticism during his lifetime.  He fell in love with fellow poet Elizabeth Barrett and, against her father's wishes, they eloped to Italy and remained there until Elizabeth's death.