Categories: "Life... a thrilling premise to supremer things"

1861, April 12

The Civil War begins 

 

“Sorrow seems more general than it did, and not the estate of a few persons, since the war began; and if the anguish of others helped one with one’s own, now would be many medicines …” (Dickinson, L436)

1840, September 7

Emily begins attending Amherst Academy with Lavinia. 

 

“It was given to me by the Gods –

When I was a little Girl – 

They give us Presents most – you know –

When we are new – and small. ” (Dickinson, Fr455)

2003, July 1

The Emily Dickinson Museum is founded after the Homestead and The Evergreens are merged under the ownership of Amherst College. 

1883, 5 October

At barely eight years old, Gilbert (“Gib”) Dickinson dies tragically of typhoid fever. Gib was a delightful, intelligent little boy, whose “fascinating ways” and “witty little sayings” charmed everyone. Beyond the great love his father and mother had for him, Gib was also the last hope for Austin and Susan to carry on the Dickinson name. 

 

“Gilbert rejoiced in Secrets – 

His Life was panting with them …

No crescent was this Creature – He traveled from the Full – 

Such soar, but never set …

Without a speculation, our little Ajax spans the whole…” (Dickinson, L800-801) 

An artist's rendering of Mount Holyoke Women's seminary

1847, September

Emily Dickinson enrolls for one year at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary in South Hadley.

 

“This term is the longest in the year and I would not wish to live it over again, I can assure you. I love this Seminary and all the teachers are bound strongly to my heart by ties of affection. There are many sweet girls here and dearly do I love some new faces, but I have not yet found the place of a few dear ones filled, nor would I wish it to be here.” (Dickinson, L59)

 

2013, October 13

The launch of the Emily Dickinson Online Archive. The Online Archive is a free-access resource, allowing online visitors to view digitized images of Dickinson manuscripts held in multiple libraries and archives across the country. 

1863, September

From late April to November, 1864, Emily Dickinson spends many months in Cambridge, Massachusetts for treatment of a severe, disabling eye condition. During these two months with Boston’s leading ophthalmologist, Dr. Henry Willard Williams, Dickinson lives with her cousins Louisa and Frances Norcross in Cambridge. 

 

“The eyes are as with you, sometimes easy, sometimes sad. I think they are not worse, nor do I think them better than when I came home. The snow light offends them, and the house is bright … Vinnie [is] good to me, but ‘cannot see why I don’t get well.’ This makes me think I am long sick, and this takes the ache to my eyes.” (Dickinson, L430, 433, 439)