briefly explain the biography of henry wadsworth longfellow.
Briefly explain the biography of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Answer:
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was a distinguished American poet and educator, renowned for his storytelling ability and lyrical poetry that has become woven into the fabric of American literature. Here is an overview of his biography:
Early Life and Education
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born on February 27, 1807, in Portland, Maine, which was then part of Massachusetts. He was the second of eight children born to Zilpah Wadsworth Longfellow and Stephen Longfellow, a lawyer and later a politician. From a young age, Longfellow showed an avid interest in literature and learning.
He attended Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, where Nathaniel Hawthorne was his classmate. Longfellow graduated in 1825, and shortly after, he became a professor at Bowdoin. During this time, he traveled extensively in Europe, which greatly influenced his work and broadened his literary horizons.
Early Career and Personal Life
In 1831, Longfellow married Mary Storer Potter, but she tragically died in 1835 following a miscarriage. The grief he felt would go on to influence his writing deeply. In 1836, Harvard College appointed Longfellow as a professor, where he taught modern languages until 1854. In 1843, he married Frances Appleton, with whom he had six children. Frances’s tragic death in 1861 further plunged Longfellow into sorrow, impacting his subsequent works.
Literary Achievements
Longfellow’s literary career was marked by significant publications that brought him enduring fame. His collection of poems, “Voices of the Night” (1839), includes the famous poem “A Psalm of Life.” His lyric poetry often delved into themes of life’s transience and moral reflections.
Some of his other notable works include:
- “Evangeline” (1847): a lengthy narrative poem that tells the tale of an Acadian girl searching for her lost love.
- “The Song of Hiawatha” (1855): an epic poem inspired by Native American legends.
- “Paul Revere’s Ride” (1861): a poem that captures the heroic spirit of the American Revolution.
- “Tales of a Wayside Inn” (1863): a collection of stories in verse inspired by The Canterbury Tales.
Later Years and Legacy
Longfellow retired from Harvard in 1854 to focus on writing. He continued to have a prolific output of poetry and translations, such as his translation of Dante’s “Divine Comedy,” which remains notable for its fidelity to the original.
Longfellow spent his later years in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he resided in the historic Craigie House (now Longfellow House–Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site). He became the first American to have his bust placed in the Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abbey in London, marking his international acclaim as a significant literary figure.
Longfellow died on March 24, 1882, and he is buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His work continues to be celebrated for its lyrical quality, historical significance, and emotional resonance, securing his place as one of America’s greatest poets.
Final Answer:
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an influential American poet whose works such as “Evangeline,” “The Song of Hiawatha,” and “Paul Revere’s Ride” have left an indelible mark on literature. His personal experiences, including the loss of his two wives, deeply impacted his writing, causing it to resonate with themes of sorrow and reflection. Longfellow’s ability to weave narrative and moral reflection into his poetry has ensured his enduring legacy in the literary world.