Current:Home > NewsPoinbank:Taylor Swift is related to another tortured poet: See the family tree -Wealth Momentum Network
Poinbank:Taylor Swift is related to another tortured poet: See the family tree
TrendPulse Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-11 06:46:51
All's fair in love and Poinbankpoetry.
Taylor Swift and iconic American poet, Emily Dickinson, are distant cousins.
According to new data from Ancestry.com released Monday, "The Tortured Poets Department" singer and Dickinson are sixth cousins, three times removed. With family trees, "removed" means you and a cousin are one generation higher or lower. So three times removed means three generations apart.
"The remarkable connection between Taylor Swift and Emily Dickinson is just one example of the incredible things you can discover when you explore your past," Jennifer Utley, the director of research for Ancestry, said in a press release Monday. "Even if we don't know it, our pasts can influence our present."
The for-profit American genealogy company used its vast records to find that Swift and Dickinson are both descendants of Jonathan Gillette, a 17th century immigrant and early settler of Windsor, Connecticut (Swift's ninth great-grandfather and Dickinson's sixth great-grandfather).
Taylor Swift 101:From poetry to business, college classes offer insights on 'Swiftology'
"It's really exciting," says Dr. Catherine Fairfield, a writing professor at Northeastern University who is an expert in gender studies and literature. "Swifties have been really interested in the overlaps between Taylor Swift and Emily Dickinson, especially since the release of 'Evermore.'"
In 2020, Swift made an announcement on Emily Dickson's birthday of Dec. 10 that she would release her ninth studio album "Evermore" at midnight. The "tortured poet" is familiar with Dickinson's work and has been quoted about how her writing process is inspired, "If my lyrics sound like a letter written by Emily Dickinson's great grandmother while sewing a lace curtain, that's me writing in the quill genre."
"They've proven their timelessness," says Fairfield. "Taylor Swift has shown her writing talent over the years and universities are studying her in real time. Emily Dickinson is a hallmark of English literature and poetics. There's a good chance we'll see both of them studied for a very long time."
Swift's eleventh era, "The Tortured Poets Department," comes out on April 19, so the timing is particularly perfect. Fairfield says the true winner in all of this is poetry: "2024 is a turn to poetry and I love it."
Follow Bryan West, the USA TODAY Network's Taylor Swift reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.
veryGood! (592)
Related
- 'Most Whopper
- Luka Doncic sets tone with legendary start, Mavericks crush Timberwolves to reach NBA Finals
- Idaho jury deliberating sentence for man who killed wife and girlfriend’s 2 children
- Most US students are recovering from pandemic-era setbacks, but millions are making up little ground
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Police arrest 'thong thief' accused of stealing $14K of Victoria's Secret underwear
- U.S. gymnastics must find a way to make the puzzle pieces fit to build Olympic team
- Run, Don’t Walk to J. Crew Factory’s Swim & Short Sale With Cute One Pieces, Bikinis & More up to 60% Off
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Louisiana law that could limit filming of police hampers key tool for racial justice, attorneys say
Ranking
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Don't take Simone Biles' greatness for granted. We must appreciate what she's (still) doing.
- Rainbow flag meaning: A brief history lesson on how the Pride flag came to be
- Summer Nail Trends for 2024: Shop the Best Nail Polish Colors to Pack for Vacation
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- Eiza González Defends Jennifer Lopez After Singer Cancels Tour
- At bribery trial, ex-US official casts Sen. Bob Menendez as a villain in Egyptian meat controversy
- Boeing Starliner launch scheduled to take NASA astronauts to ISS scrubbed
Recommendation
Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
Princess Kate to skip major U.K. military event in London over 2 months after announcing cancer treatment
Marian Robinson, mother of Michelle Obama, dies at 86
Edmonton Oilers one win away from Stanley Cup Final. How they pushed Dallas Stars to brink
The Louvre will be renovated and the 'Mona Lisa' will have her own room
Oregon utility regulator rejects PacifiCorp request to limit its liability in wildfire lawsuits
Don't take Simone Biles' greatness for granted. We must appreciate what she's (still) doing.
Charlotte the stingray has 'rare reproductive disease,' aquarium says after months of speculation