Emma Lazarus

About

New York-born poet known for her 1883 sonnet "The New Colossus," which was engraved on the base of the Statue of Liberty. She also published a multi-part poem called "Epochs."

Before Fame

Early in her life, she learned French, German, and Italian and also studied both British and American literature.

Trivia

She was a co-founder of the Hebrew Technical Institute in New York.

Family Life

She had six siblings and was born into a Sephardic Jewish family of Portuguese heritage.

Associated With

She corresponded with Ralph Waldo Emerson for many years.