Elizabeth Barrett had been prolific in poetry,…

Elizabeth Barrett had been prolific in poetry, translation and prose between 1841 and 1844.

The poem "The Cry of the Children", published in 1842 in Blackwoods, had condemned child labor and had helped bring about child-labor reforms by raising support for Lord Shaftesbury's Ten Hours Bill (1844).

At about the same time, she contributed critical prose pieces to Richard Henry Horne's A New Spirit of the Age.

In 1844 she published two volumes of Poems, which included "A Drama of Exile", "A Vision of Poets", and "Lady Geraldine's Courtship" and two substantial critical essays for 1842 issues of The Athenaeum.

Her prolific output will make her a rival to Tennyson as a candidate for poet laureate in 1850 on the death of Wordsworth.

Her 1844 volume Poems has made her one of the most popular writers in the country, and inspired Robert Browning to write to her.

He wrote, "I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett," praising their "fresh strange music, the affluent language, the exquisite pathos and true new brave thought."

Her cousin John Kenyon, Kenyon, a wealthy friend of the family and patron of the arts, arranges for Browning to meet Elizabeth on May 20, 1845, in her rooms, and so begins one of the most famous courtships in literature.

Elizabeth has already produced a large amount of work, but Browning will have a great influence on her subsequent writing, as will she on his: two of Barrett's most famous pieces are written after she meets Browning, Sonnets from the Portuguese and Aurora Leigh.

Robert's Men and Women is also a product of this time.