Edward Dickinson was born on January 1, 1803 to Samuel Fowler and Lucretia Gunn. He was one of nine children.
At the age of twelve he started studying at Amherst academy. At the age of sixteen he went to Yale College, graduating in 1823. Although he wanted to leave to practice law in Boston his father wouldn’t allow it. He worked instead with his father, eventually becoming partner. At the age of twenty-five he married Emily Norcross in a small ceremony.
They lived in the family homestead built by Edward’s father, and before Emily was born he purchased the western half. However, as Edward grew richer his father grew poorer and eventually Emily’s grandfather would sell his half never to see the family again. This of course led the Dickinson’s to share their home with strangers, and so Edward moved his family to a house of their own when Emily was three. Emily would live in this house for the next fifteen years.
Emily Dickinson on Death 