Taylor Swift revealed to be distant relative of poet Emily Dickinson

Pop icon Taylor Swift’s lyrical skills have deep roots.

Ancestry, a site that helps people track their family histories, revealed this week that Ms. Swift is a distant relative of distinguished 19th-century poet Emily Dickinson. 

“We need to calm down…but how can we when we have BIG news!? Renowned American poets Taylor Swift and Emily Dickinson are 6th cousins, three times removed,” Ancestry wrote on its Instagram account. 

According to Ancestry, Ms. Swift and Dickinson both trace their ancestry back to an English immigrant from the 17th century who was an early settler in Connecticut. The figure is Ms. Swift’s 9th great-grandfather and Dickinson’s 6th. 

“Taylor Swift’s ancestors remained in Connecticut for six generations until her part of the family eventually settled in northwestern Pennsylvania, where they married into the Swift family line,” Ancestry continued.

Fans often make connections with famous women poets and Ms. Swift, looking to her lyrics for inspiration. Some believe that the title of her 2020 album “Evermore” is a direct reference to Dickinson’s poem “One Sister Have I in Our House.” The album was even announced on Dickinson’s birthday, Dec. 10. 

The revelation that Ms. Swift is related to poet-royalty sets her fans up perfectly for the release of her upcoming album “The Tortured Poets Department.”