lives of Victorian authors

I enjoyed the works of the Victorian authors, yet, I enjoyed their biographical information even more. I think that knowing the life of the author prior to reading their works adds appreciation and understanding to the work. I enjoyed Elizabeth Barrett Browning's collection of poems more knowing that they were actually letters sent to her lover. Elizabeth did seem clingy in the poem that was on the discussion forum, however, knowing of her illness and her age in comparison to her lover made the pleading seem more logical (but still, somewhat desperate).