Remembering, William Austin Dickinson, Big Brother of Emily Dickinson

April 16, 1829

On this day, Emily Dickinson's brother, William Austin Dickinson, was born.

Although he tried his hand at teaching, William became a lawyer, following in the footsteps th his grandfather, Fowler, and his father, Edward.

Of her vivacious brother, William, Emily wrote,

There was always such a Hurrah wherever you [were].

William was the oldest of the three Dickinson kids. He was about eighteen months older than his sister, Emily.

When they were young, Emily was very close to her brother. Emily's letters reveal her admiration.

One year, she wrote how even the apples would do his bidding:

Our apples are ripening fast —

I am fully convinced that with your approbation, they will not only pick themselves but arrange one another in baskets and present themselves to be eaten.