Christina Rossetti, born on December 5, 1830, was the fourth daughter of two Italian exiles. Rossetti’s father, Gabriel, was a teacher of Italian at Kings College in London as well as a writer himself. This caused his children to grow up in a bilingual household of Italian and English and learn to appreciate literary works and art. In the time Rossetti grew up, early education was not a requirement by law, so all four children were educated at home by their mother, Frances. Their parents encouraged their daughters to pursue education as many did not in their time. All four children were avid readers and writers. Rossetti was closest to her mother in her childhood, and dedicated all of her poetry to her mother. Christina was the youngest
