The San Francisco Browning Society

05/08/2026

Robert Browning was born on this day in 1812. 🥳

09/18/2025

It is very exciting to learn that the Browning monument, at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland, has been lovingly restored.
There will be an event held there on Sunday, October 12th, where poets and performers will celebrate. Many thanks to Kristen Caven for all your great efforts to enable this to happen.

05/09/2025

On Robert Browning's birthday, on May 7th, I had the great pleasure to meet up with Kristen Caven, at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland, where there is a monument, erected by Joaquin Miller, in honour of his friend, Robert Browning. Not until Kristen had contacted me, I had no familiarity with the park or Joaquin Miller, "The Poet of the Sierras." It was such a wonderful treat to wander through the wooded park, and look out from the vista points, on the San Francisco Bay. The monument is in need of a little well worth restoration, and Kristen has set up a fund for this purpose. I will share the link for this project in the very near future.

03/06/2025

Today is Elizabeth Barrett Browning's birthday.
Let us Light tomorrow.

05/07/2024

On this day, in 1812, Robert Browning was born.

03/07/2024

On this day, in 1806, Elizabeth Barrett Browning was born.

09/02/2022

Here's some great recommendations for Victorian novels and poetry, including the Brownings.

Victober is back to encourage us to explore and enjoy Victorian literature. Take part by reading something written or published by a British or Irish author ...

05/07/2022

On this day, in 1812, Robert Browning was born! 🥳🥳🥳

03/15/2022

A friend recently took this photo, at sunset, of Elizabeth Barrett Browning's tomb, in the English cemetery, at Piazzale Donatello. The tomb was designed by Lord Leighton.

03/06/2022

Born in 1806, today we celebrate the birthday and life of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Today is also the 120th anniversary of our society. Although we have been in hibernation, without a current meeting place, and having lost so many of our dear longtime members, we do hope to revive ourselves in the not too distant future.

I thank all who have loved me in their hearts,
With thanks and love from mine. Deep thanks to all
Who paused a little near the prison-wall,
To hear my music in its louder parts,
Ere they went onward, each one to the mart's
Or temple's occupation, beyond call.
But thou, who, in my voice's sink and fall,
When the sob took it, thy divinest Art's
Own instrument didst drop down at thy foot,
To harken what I said between my tears,..
Instruct me how to thank thee! - Oh, to shoot
My soul's full meaning into future years,
That they should lend it utterance, and salute
Love that endures, from Life that disappears!

~ Sonnet 41

02/08/2022

It is with great sadness that I must inform you that our very dear friend, Sharon Abe, has died. One of the kindest, most generous and loving people, she was a stalwart member of our Society. She will be greatly missed, but will remain always in our hearts.