Final answer:
The statement that Tennyson was Poet Laureate for 42 years is true; he held the position from 1850 until his death in 1892.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Tennyson held the position of Poet Laureate for 42 years is true. Alfred Lord Tennyson, one of the most prominent English poets, was appointed as Poet Laureate by Queen Victoria in 1850 after succeeding William Wordsworth. He held this prestigious position until his death in 1892, which indeed amounts to a period of 42 years. Tennyson's work is significant in the English literary tradition, with poems that highlight the Victorian era's attributes. Despite his lackadaisical approach to formal education at Cambridge, he thoroughly dedicated himself to refining his poetic craft, which culminated in his lasting fame and his enduring contributions to Victorian literature, such as the well-known poem The Lady of Shalott.