Emily's Family Background

Emily's father, Edward Dickinson, was a lawyer and served as a treasurer in Amherst College. Her father was widely known due to the publicity his job had to offer. Edward Dickinson, served as the General Court of Massachusetts, Senate of Massachusetts, and the U.S House of Representatives. On the other hand, Emily's Grandfather, Edward Dickinson, was a major person in her fathers life. Edward Dickinson was the founder of Amherst College. While Emily's father and grandfather had major roles, her mother did not. Her mother was a quiet and self reserved woman. She had minimal impact in Emily's life and was effected through illness. Emily had one brother and one sister. Her brother, William Dickinson, was an attorney, who married Emily's best friend, Susan Gilbert. While her sister, Lavinia Dickinson, joined together with Susan Gilbert, to publish a large portion of Emily's writings after Emily's death.