Dorothy Wordsworth was born in Cockermouth, England in 1771, one year after her famous poet brother, William, who she would become very close with over the following years. After their mother died in 1778, they were separated and did not return to the Lake District until 1794, when they spent two happy months walking around the hills near Keswick, eventually settling down near Grasmere in 1799. The journals that Dorothy kept are remarkable for the detailed observations she makes of the surrounding countryside and people, often providing glimpses of poverty and suffering, as well as displaying her complete love affair with nature. Dorothy and William lived at Dove Cottage from 1799 to 1813, and then later moved to Rydal Mount, where they resided until they passed away, William in 1850 and Dorothy five years later.
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