While many of her literary peers achieved notoriety, "the woman in white" remained virtually unknown-by choice. The self-imposed obscurity of Emily Dickinson is just one of many aspects of her life that this program explores. Blending daguerreotypes, paintings, manuscripts, excerpts from Dickinson's letters, and readings from nearly a dozen of her poems, this program presents the biography of one of America's most unique and influential voices in poetry. (20 minutes)

Emily Dickinson, called "the nun of Amherst" and "the woman in white," is not considered one of the greatest American poets until a half century after her death.

Emily Dickinson is enthralled with the works of the Bronte sisters when they are released in 1846. She is inspired by their unconventional stories of articulate women marginalized by society.

During a religious rebirth in America, Emily remains indifferent to Christian teachings. Law student, Benjamin Franklin Newton, exposes her to significant writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson.

In May 1855, Emily meets Rev. Charles Wadsworth. Their friendship is conducted almost exclusively by mail, producing some of Emily's best lyrical works through their correspondence.

The richness and variety of her poetry contrasts with the barren quality of Emily's life. Dickinson's unique voice can be attributed to lack of adherence to any literary styles or movements of her time.

Dickinson rejects publishing her poems. She writes: "publication is the auction of the mind of man..." However, Emily often includes her poems in her many correspondences.

Emily never leaves her home in the last 15 years of her life. After her death, her sister discovers thousands of Emily's poems. The first volumes of Dickinson's poetry are published in 1890.