The Works of Anne Bradstreet

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Anne Bradstreet, the first true poet in the American colonies, emerged during a time when literary creation was rare, especially for women. Born in England and raised in the household of the Earl of Lincoln, she sailed to Massachusetts Bay in 1630 shortly after marrying Simon Bradstreet at sixteen. Over the next forty years, she navigated the challenges of life in the New England wilderness while raising eight children and producing poetry that established her as a pioneering voice. As noted by Adrienne Rich in her Foreword, Bradstreet was "the first non-didactic American poet," who captured American nature and prioritized personal intention over Puritan dogma in her work. This edition includes all of her extant poetry and prose, with modernized spelling and punctuation, featuring the second edition of Several Poems from 1678 and a manuscript first printed in 1857. Rich's critique highlights the tension surrounding women's intellectual pursuits during this era, reflected in Bradstreet's Prologue. Her early work, The Tenth Muse, showcases her literary breadth, while her later writings reveal a more personal touch, expressing deep emotions for her family and the solace found in nature. Bradstreet's writings, marked by a strong spirit and meditative quality, affirm her status as a poet of enduring significance.