Born in London on December 5, 1830, Christina Georgina Rossetti was the younger sister of the famous Pre-Raphaelite painter and poet Dante Gabriel Rossetti, for whom she often served as a model. Her family encouraged Rossetti and her brothers to read, draw, and write poetry. Her grandfather published Rossetti's first volume of poetry when she was seventeen.

During her adolescence Rossetti, her mother, and her sister became deeply committed to the Anglican Church (Church of England), and her religious beliefs played an important part in her life and writing. Rossetti broke off an engagement in 1848 because of religious differences with her fiance. In 1866 she refused to marry a man she had loved deeply for years because he lacked sufficient religious conviction. Rossetti's religious beliefs did not make her stuffy or unpleasant, however. She maintained a wry sense of humor and a kind, tolerant manner throughout her...