Emily Dickinson was a nineteenth Century poet. There were many things that influenced her poetry, such as, her life as a mysterious spinster. Her education and religion, or lack there of, also had a major impact in her work.
             Emily Elizabeth Dickinson was born on December 10, 1830, in Amherst, Massachusetts. Emily was the second child to Edward and Emily Norcross Dickinson. Emily, Austin, her older brother, and Lavinia, her younger sister, were brought up in a very prominent family. Emily's grandfather was one of the founders of the Amherst Institute, now known as Amherst College. Emily's father was a prominent lawyer and treasurer at Amherst College. He also served on the Massachusetts Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. Emily had what appeared to be a normal childhood. Because of her family's position in society, Emily received a good education. She attended the Amherst Academy from 1834-1847. She furthered her education by attending Mount Holyoke Female Seminar in South Hadley, Massachusetts, now known as Mount Holyoke College. After attending only one year, Emily returned home. By her 20's, Emily began her life of seclusion. It was during this period that Emily began to dress all in white. Also during this time she began to write poetry very seriously. After the Civil War, Emily had secluded herself almost completely. Even her family and closest friends, whom she obviously loved, had to talk to her from the other side of a door. The only other form of communication that she had was through letters and poems. Still there were few people she wrote. Among these few was a man named Charles Wadsworth. Emily met Wadsworth on a trip to Philadelphia. Wadsworth became her dearest friend. He had a powerful effect on Emily's life and poetry. Wadsworth was a very religious man. He was a Calvary Church Reverend. His religious beliefs had a major impact on her writings.
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