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Classic Authors: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

© Susan Jensen

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow has long been hailed as one of America's most beloved poets. He earned this recognition not through abstract images and innovative prose, but by employing simple rhyme schemes and universal themes. Readers worldwide adore him for his warmth and simplicity.

Henry was born on February 27, 1807, in Portland, Maine, to Stephen Longfellow and Zilpah Wadsworth Longfellow. He grew into a mild-mannered, obedient child. He began attending school at age 3, and received excellent marks in academics and behavior. A love for reading and writing emerged early in his life, perhaps because of the many books his mother read to him and his siblings.

In 1825, Henry graduated from Bowdoin College, where he had been classmates with Nathaniel Hawthorne. Shortly after commencement, he was asked to become the first professor of modern language at Bowdoin. In preparation for the position, Henry spent three years in Europe, traveling to various countries, meeting with important people, and taking college courses. He returned to America in 1829. At 22, he began his career as a college professor, teaching courses, and writing his own textbooks.

Henry married Mary Storer Potter, who had been his schoolmate, in 1831. They settled down, and he began translating Old World literature and contributed travel sketches to New England Magazine , as well as teaching and serving as a librarian at the college. Three years later, Henry was offered a professorship at Harvard, which he gladly accepted. He headed for Europe again, this time taking his young bride with him. While in Europe, she miscarried a child and died.

A mourning Henry returned to America, and rented a room at Craigie House in Cambridge. Seven years later, Henry married Frances Appleton, whose father gave them Craigie House as a wedding gift. Together, they reared five children, two boys and a girl. Fatherhood and then grand fatherhood made him happy, as one can easily discern from his poem "The Children's Hour."

In the next seven years, Henry published his long work "Hyperion," which foreshadows his love for Frances. Also, Voices of Night , his first book of poetry was published. During this period, he also made his stand against slavery known. His widely-acclaimed "Evangeline," was published in 1847. By this time, Henry felt as if his teaching was getting in the way of his writing, so he resigned in 1854, and gave himself wholly to his poetry. Later that year, he published "The Song of Hiawatha," the first work to use Native American themes. "The Courtship of Miles Standish," appeared the next year and became extremely successful.

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