The Brontë Sisters - The Beginning | The Brontë Sisters - Childhood | Charlotte Brontë 1816 – 1855 | Emily Jane Brontë (1818 - 1848) | Anne Brontë (1820 – 1849)

When Patrick Brontë married Maria Branwell in 1812, little did he know they would have three daughters, who would inherit their fathers love of poetry and the written word, and would become famous authors long after their deaths.

Before Patrick settled in Yorkshire, he had previously moved from Ireland to Weatherfield, in Essex, where he taught in Sunday school. But, it was Yorkshire that became the centre of his life's work. His love of poetry led him to publish several books of prose and verse.

The first-born daughter of Patrick and Maria Brontë was in April 1814, they named her Maria. Her sister Elizabeth was born the following year, on 8 February, 1815. Over the next few years, the family expanded in size. On 21 April, 1816 Charlotte was born, followed by Patrick and Maria's first and only son, born on 26 June, 1817, he was named Patrick Branwell. Another daughter, Emily Jane was born 30 July, 1818 and to complete the family Anne was born 17 January, 1820.

In 1820, Patrick was appointed Reverend of Haworth, part of his duties were as rector and Chairman of the parish committee. This post led Patrick and his family to move from Thornton to Hawort, which was a small-impoverished town, situated at the end of a large area of lonely purple moors.

On 15 September, 1821, tragedy struck the Bronte family. Patrick's beloved wife, and mother of his six young children, died of tuberculosis. Leaving the Bronte children in the care of their father, their stern, devout aunt, Elizabeth Branwell and Tabitha Aycroyd, the family's servant, who had a gift for telling folk tales.