Anne is the most drawn member of the Brontë family, with the watercolour above being one of three portraits of Anne done by Charlotte. Written on the back in Charlotte’s longhand is ‘Portrait of Anne Brontë, by her Sister, Charlotte Brontë, June 17th 1834’. This would have been painted during the time Charlotte was preparing for a career in art, possibly as a miniaturist. It has been cut into an oval shape which suggests that it could have been displayed on the Parsonage walls. (Bronte Parsonage Museum) [1]
The final years of Anne Brontë’s life were shaped by heartbreak, courage, and quiet determination. By 1848, her second novel, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, had made its mark with bold themes of domestic abuse and female resilience. But as her literary star began to rise, Anne’s world was falling apart. That year, she lost her brother Branwell to his long struggle with addiction and illness, and then her beloved sister Emily just three months later. These losses struck Anne deeply, yet she carried on with the same calm resolve that had always set her apart.
When Anne herself fell ill, she faced it with faith and acceptance. She focused her dwindling strength on revising her poetry and drawing comfort from the natural beauty of the Yorkshire moors she so adored.
In the spring of 1849, hopeful that the sea air might ease her declining health, Anne travelled with Charlotte to Scarborough, a place she had cherished during her years as a governess. The seaside town offered her a brief reprieve, but it was clear she was nearing the end. On 28 May 1849, Anne passed away of pulmonary tuberculosis in Charlotte’s arms, her last words a quiet affirmation of hope: “Take courage, Charlotte.” She was buried in Scarborough, overlooking the waves, far from the family home at Haworth.
Anne’s death at just 29 left the literary world poorer, but her work endures as a testament to her strength and independence. Though long overshadowed by her sisters, Anne’s stories and poetry continue to resonate, revealing a woman unafraid to challenge convention and write with a clear, honest voice. Hers was a short life, but one of quiet, enduring courage.
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