Alfred Lord Tennyson association with Caistor

Mary Turner the grandmother of one of England’s and Lincolnshire’s

Most famous sons was born and lived in Caistor. It is believed that she was born and reared in Caistor House on the west side of the Market place. She married Charles Tennyson the poets grandfather and they lived in Tealby. A brother of the poet also named Charles was vicar of Grasby for over 40 years. The poet is known to have visited the town on many occasions.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson was an English poet and dramatist, generally considered to be the chief representative of the Victorian age in poetry.

He was born on August 6, 1809 at Somersby, Lincolnshire. His father, George Clayton Tennyson, was a rector and clergyman who suffered from depression and was notoriously absentminded. He was born in Tealby.

Tennyson succeeded William Wordsworth as Poet Laureate in 1850.

Among Tennyson's major poetic achievements is the elegy mourning the death of his friend Arthur Hallam, "In Memoriam" (1850). The patriotic poem "Charge of the Light Brigade", published in Maud (1855) is one of Tennyson's best known works.

Other famous poems by Tennyson are “The Lady of Shallot” and “The Lotos-Eaters”.

After marrying Emily Sellwood, whom he had already met in 1836, the couple settled in Farringford, a house in Freshwater on the Isle of Wight in 1853.

By now Tennyson, only 41, had written some of his greatest poetry, but he continued to write and to gain in popularity. As the Tennyson’s were moving into their new house on the Isle of Wight, Prince Albert dropped in unannounced. His admiration for Tennyson's poetry helped solidify his position as the national poet, and Tennyson returned the favour by dedicating “The Idylls of the King” to his memory. Queen Victoria later summoned him to court several times, and at her insistence he accepted his title, having declined it when offered by both Disraeli and Gladstone.

From there the family moved in 1869 to Aldworth, Surrey. During these later years he produced some of his best poems.

Long-lived like most of his family (no matter how unhealthy they seemed to be) Alfred, Lord Tennyson died on October 6, 1892, at the age of 83.

At Alfred's request, his poem "Crossing the Bar," an epitaph of sorts, is always printed last in any collection of his works.