Are Taylor Swift And Iconic Poet Emily Dickinson Really Cousins?

In a revelation that transcends the fans of music and poetry, Ancestry.com uncovered an intriguing connection between global pop sensation Taylor Swift and the legendary 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson. According to the genealogy website, Swift and Dickinson share a familial link as sixth cousins, three times removed. Ancestry.com traced the depths of Taylor Swift's and Emily Dickinson's DNA, pinpointing a shared ancestor named Jonathan Gilette. Gilette, a 17th-century English immigrant and an early settler of Windsor, Connecticut, emerges as Swift's ninth great-grandfather and Dickinson's sixth great-grandfather.

Connecticut Connections: Swift's Ancestral Journey and Dickinson's Amherst Home

Revealing more layers of this strange familial saga, Ancestry.com disclosed that Gilette's descendants, including Taylor Swift's forebears, remained rooted in Connecticut for six generations. Swift's family eventually migrated to northwestern Pennsylvania, interweaving their lineage with the Swift family. Meanwhile, Emily Dickinson spent most of her life in Amherst, Massachusetts, creating geographical proximity between the two families.

Beyond the familial connection, Taylor Swift has previously acknowledged Emily Dickinson's influence on her songwriting. Swift has described her "quill pen songs" as compositions reminiscent of a 19th-century poet crafting verses by candlelight. In an acceptance speech in 2022, Swift explained, "If my lyrics sound like a letter written by Emily Dickinson’s great-grandmother while sewing a lace curtain, that’s me writing in the Quill genre."

What is The Quill Genre?: Swift Recites 'Ivy' Lyrics as an Example

During the same acceptance speech, Swift offered insight into her Quill genre by reciting lyrics from her song 'Ivy' featured in the album Evermore. This track, speculated by Swifties to be inspired by Dickinson, found an additional connection when it appeared in an episode of Dickinson, the 2019 Apple TV+ series chronicling the poet's life.

Literary Speculations and Nepo Connections: The Swifties Cannot Wait For Swift’s Reaction

With the revelation of this familial tie, Swifties are left to ponder the depth of Swift's connection to Dickinson. While the literary influences are evident, the question arises: Is Taylor Swift a nepo sixth cousin, three times removed? The speculation opens up a playful exploration of the intersection between familial ties and artistic inspirations, inviting anticipation for Swift's reaction to this unexpected family tree revelation.