Letitia Elizabeth Landon (1802-38)



English poet and novelist, born in Chelsea, London, and better known by her initials L.E.L. In the 1820s Landon began her contributions to the weekly Literary Gazette edited by William Jerdan (1782-1869). For some time L.E.L. was joint editor of the Literary Gazette. Her first volume of poetry appeared in 1820 under the title, The Fate of Adelaide. The gentle melancholy and romantic sentiment in her writings suited the taste of the period.

Landon was admired by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-61), who wrote “L.E.L.’s Last Question” (1839) in homage, and Christina Georgina Rossetti (1830-94), who published a tribute poem entitled “L.E.L” in her 1866 volume, The Prince’s Progress and Other Poems. Landon was respected as a woman instrumental in forging the way for other female writers. (M. Y.)

1.The Troubadour