While living on the sea coast, Elizabeth published her translation of Prometheus Bound (1833), by the Greek dramatist Aeschylus. .
In 1832, Browning moved with her family to Sidmouth, Devon and then several years later to London. In 1833, Browning's translation of Prometheus Bound received high praise. After moving to London, Browning began publishing her own writings. Her first collection entitled "The Seraphim and Other Poems- was published in 1838, and her second volume "Poems, by E. Barrett- was published in 1844. The second volume was also published in the United States and included an introduction by Edgar Allan Poe.
In 1838, Elizabeth moved to Torquay for her health and was often accompanied by different members, but her favorite was her brother, Edward. He drowned later that year while sailing at Torquay and Elizabeth returned home emotionally broken, becoming an invalid and a recluse. Her uncle passed away that same year. She then wrote "De Profundis- expressing her grief. .
After all of that grief, Elizabeth did not want to meet anyone who did not belong to her close circle of friends, and she conducted most of her friendships through letters. However, in 1845, Barrett received a telegram from the poet Robert Browning. The telegram read "I love your verses with all my heart, dear Miss Barrett. I do, as I say, love these books with all my heart - and I love you too." The two met several months later and fell in love. .
Elizabeth and Robert kept their love a secret because Barrett's father was vehemently opposed to the relationship. The couple eloped on September 12, 1846 and for the next week; Elizabeth continued to live at home so the secret would not be revealed. Eventually however, she moved out of her father's home and moved in with her husband. Her father never contacted her again. When Barrett's father died ten years later, she had never been forgiven. .
Shortly after their marriage, Elizabeth and Robert departed for Pisa, Italy and ultimately settled in Florence.
