Estella Anne Lewis

Was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Her maiden name was Robinson; her father being a native of Cuba, descended from an English and Spanish parentage. She was married, when quite young, to Mr. S. D. Lewis, a lawyer of Brooklyn, Long Island, where she now resides. She began to write at an early age; but her first poetical effort that attracted much attention, was "The Ruins of Palenque," which appeared in "The New World." In 1844, she published a volume of poems, entitled "Records of the Heart," which was very favourably received. In 1846, there appeared in "The Democratic Review," a poem in three cantos, by Mrs. Lewis, entitled "The Broken Heart;" this, like her former poems, was much admired. In 1848, she published "The Child of the Sea, and other Poems," which, by some critics, has been considered her best work. It is her longest poem, and has passages of exceeding beauty and deep pathos; her power in delineating passion and describing character is very great, and her versification always harmonious and suited to the subject. All her poems show uncommon versatility of imagination, a warm enthusiasm, and remarkable facility of expression. She has written a number of fugitive pieces for different periodicals; one of these, "The Forsaken," has often been quoted for its mournful and tender beauty. Another poem, "The Cruise of Aureana, an Allegory," which we give, is an original and beautiful production. Mrs. Lewis is at present engaged in an epic poem in the Spenserian measure.

Woman's Record; or, Sketches of all Distinguished Women, by Sarah Josepha Buel Hale, 1855, page 727.