| Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell | |
| Authors: | Charlotte Brontë Emily Brontë Anne Brontë |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Language: | English |
Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell[1] was a book of poetry published jointly by the three Brontë sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne in 1846 (see 1846 in poetry), and their first work in print. To evade contemporary prejudice against female writers, the Brontë sisters adopted masculine first names. All three retained the first letter of their first names: Charlotte became Currer Bell, Emily became Ellis Bell, and Anne became Acton Bell. The book was printed by Aylott and Jones, from London. The first edition failed to attract interest, with only two copies being sold. However, the sisters decided to continue writing for publication and began work on their first novels, which became commercial successes.
Following the success of Charlotte's Jane Eyre in 1848, and after the deaths of Emily and Anne, the second edition of this book (printed in 1850 by Smith & Elder) fared much better, with Charlotte's additions of previously unpublished poetry by her two late sisters. It is believed that there are fewer than ten copies in existence with the Aylott and Jones title-page.