The Bronte Family

Charlotte (born April 21, 1816, died 1855), Emily (1818-1848), and 
Anne (1820-1849) Bronte were part of one of the most talented writing 
families in literary history. Brought up by their "Aunt Branwell" and 
their father, Rev. Patrick Bronte, under somewhat austere conditions and
plagued by ill-health, the Brontes, with their brother Branwell, amused 
themselves by artistic pursuits. They wrote both poetry and
prose, and created imaginary lands about which they wrote extensively. It was 
Charlotte's idea to publish their first book in 1846. It appeared as Poems
by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell. In 1847, Emily published the haunting
Wuthering Heights. Anne's second novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1848), 
was quite successful when first published. Jane Eyre, written by Charlotte 
in 1847, was a tremendous critical and popular success. Other books by
the Brontes include: Agnes Grey (1847, by Anne), Shirley (1849, by Charlotte),
and Villette (1852, by Charlotte). Both Emily and Anne died of tuberculosis. 
Charlotte married Arthur Bell Nicholls in 1854, and died shortly after.