Dante Gabriel Rossetti was born in London, England to Italian parents. His father was a prominent Italian scholar, and so his gifted son grew up in a supportive environment. Known as "Gabriel" to family and friends, he styled himself professionally by his first name, Dante, in honor of the great Italian poet. Rossetti was an artist, poet, and author, but is most famous for being a founder of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood with John Everett Millais and William Holman Hunt. He was also the brother of poet Christine Rossetti,the critic William Michael Rossetti, and author Maria Francesca Rossetti.

Rossetti studied writing and literature at King's College School,but also wanted to be a painter. He expressed early, strong interest in Italian art from the medieval period. His parents enrolled him in art school, and he eventually attended the Antique School of the Royal Academy. After leaving there, he studied under artist Ford Madox Brown, with whom he became lifelong friends.

Upon viewing Holman Hunt's work at an exhibition, Rossetti sought Hunt's friendship, and together they developed the philosophy of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. In 1850 Rossetti met Elizabeth Siddal, who became an important model for the Pre-Raphaelite painters. They married in 1860.

Rossetti's work received attention and support from the great art critic John Ruskin, though due to criticism from others, Rossetti withdrew from public exhibitions and relied on private commissions and shows. In 1861 he published a set of English translations of Italian poetry. Poems from that collection and from Sir Thomas Malory's Morte d'Arthur inspired much of Rossetti's painting during and before the 1860s. He also worked as a designer, collaborating with William Morris to produce images for stained glass and other decorative objects.

During this time Rossetti's wife, Elizabeth, became ill from her laudanum addiction. She died of an overdose shortly after giving birth to a stillborn child. Rossetti became extremely depressed and buried many of his unpublished poems in his wife's grave. He later had them exhumed. These poems were published in 1870 in the volume Poems by D.G. Rossetti. The collection created a controversy over their erotic and sensual content. He published a second volume of poetry in 1881.

Rossetti's later years were darkened by drug addiction and increasing mental instability. He spent his final years as a recluse. He died in 1882, while undergoing another vain attempt to recover his health. His grave is visited regularly by admirers of his work, who often leave flowers to honor his memory.

Image: Dante Gabriel Rossetti, self portrait.