Robert Browning's Masterpiece, The Ring and The Book

Originally published in 1868, The Ring and The Book, renowned as Robert Browning's greatest work, is a twelve-book series of monologues by characters connected to a 1698 Italian murder trial, using Browning's famous dramatic monologue form. Through the testimony and trial by correspondence of Count Guido Franceschini, we see a fine analytical piece containing philosophical, psychological, and social criticism.  The image selected comes from a personal second edition copy of Browning gifted by the Browning Society on May 7, 1882, the poet's birthday, notably fourteen years after its original publication. We see his marks in Book Eleven, Count Guido's second and final testimony, in which he reveals his truthful ideals. The rare artifact presented contains a plethora of corrections, and subsequently exposes an aged Browning (70 years old) continuing to perfect his 21,000-line masterpiece. The artifact testifies to the incessant process of editing the poet goes through years after the original edition was published. 

Associated Place(s)

Event date:

7 May 1882