Information for Emily Dickinson and I - The Journey of a Portrayal at Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (Play). Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), America's foremost female poet was born and died in Amhurst, Massachusetts. Her poems are famous the world over, yet her life abounds with unanswered questions - a poet of incredible intensity, was she a lovesick, 'half crack'd recluse', or so sure of her gift that she relinquished the world in order to write? Mill Studio