Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Julia Margaret Cameron · Public domain · source
Name	Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Birth date	February 27, 1807
Birth place	Portland, Maine
Death date	March 24, 1882
Death place	Cambridge, Massachusetts
Occupation	Poet, Professor
Nationality	American
Notableworks	The Song of Hiawatha, Evangeline, The Courtship of Miles Standish

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a renowned American poet and professor who played a significant role in shaping the country's literary landscape, alongside notable figures such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Edgar Allan Poe. His works were heavily influenced by his travels to Europe, where he visited England, France, and Italy, and were often compared to those of John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley. Longfellow's poetry was also shaped by his interest in Native American culture, as seen in his famous poem The Song of Hiawatha, which was inspired by the Ojibwe people and their legendary leader Hiawatha. His literary career was marked by his association with the Saturday Club, a group of prominent writers and thinkers that included Oliver Wendell Holmes, James Russell Lowell, and Charles Eliot Norton.

Early Life and Education

Longfellow was born in Portland, Maine, to Stephen Longfellow and Zilpah Wadsworth, and was the second of eight children. He attended Portland Academy and later Bowdoin College, where he studied classics and literature under the guidance of Thomas Upham and Joshua Chamberlain. During his time at Bowdoin College, Longfellow became friends with Nathaniel Hawthorne and Franklin Pierce, who would later become the 14th President of the United States. After graduating from Bowdoin College, Longfellow traveled to Europe, where he visited London, Paris, and Rome, and met notable figures such as Charles Dickens and Alfred, Lord Tennyson. He also developed an interest in German literature, particularly the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller.

Career and Major Works

Longfellow began his career as a professor at Bowdoin College, teaching modern languages and literature. He later became a professor at Harvard University, where he taught comparative literature and poetry. Longfellow's first major work was Outre-Mer: A Pilgrimage Beyond the Sea, a collection of poems and essays inspired by his travels to Europe. He also wrote Hyperion: A Romance, a novel that explored themes of love and identity. However, it was his poetry that brought him the most recognition, particularly The Song of Hiawatha, which told the story of the Ojibwe people and their legendary leader Hiawatha. Other notable works include Evangeline, a poem about the Acadian people, and The Courtship of Miles Standish, a narrative poem based on a story from Plymouth Colony.

Poetry and Style

Longfellow's poetry was known for its lyricism and narrative style, which was influenced by European folklore and mythology. He was particularly drawn to the works of Dante Alighieri and Homer, and often incorporated elements of classical mythology into his poems. Longfellow's use of language was also notable, as he often employed archaic words and phrases to create a sense of historical and cultural authenticity. His poetry was also marked by its musicality, with a focus on rhythm and meter. Longfellow's style was often compared to that of Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Robert Browning, and he was praised by critics such as Edgar Allan Poe and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Personal Life and Legacy

Longfellow married Mary Storer Potter in 1831, and the couple had three children together. After Mary's death in 1835, Longfellow married Frances Elizabeth Appleton in 1843, and the couple had six children together. Longfellow was a prominent figure in Boston society, and was friends with notable figures such as Oliver Wendell Holmes and James Russell Lowell. He was also a member of the Saturday Club, a group of prominent writers and thinkers that included Charles Eliot Norton and William Dean Howells. Longfellow's legacy extends beyond his literary works, as he played a significant role in shaping American culture and identity. He was awarded numerous honors, including the Doctor of Laws degree from Harvard University and the Doctor of Civil Law degree from Oxford University.

Cultural Impact and Criticism

Longfellow's poetry had a significant impact on American culture, particularly in the 19th century. His works were widely read and admired, and he was praised by critics such as Edgar Allan Poe and Ralph Waldo Emerson. However, Longfellow's poetry was also subject to criticism, particularly from modernist poets such as T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound, who saw his work as traditional and conservative. Despite this, Longfellow's poetry remains widely read and studied today, and his legacy continues to be felt in American literature and culture. His works have been translated into numerous languages, including French, German, and Italian, and have been adapted into films, plays, and operas. Longfellow's impact can also be seen in the works of later American poets, such as Robert Frost and Langston Hughes, who were influenced by his use of language and narrative style. Category:American poets