Henry Longfellow (1807-1882)

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote many poems about nature and about the history of America. His poems are full of melody and beauty, and his stories are very interesting.

Longfellow’s parents were rich, so he could travel a lot. He spent several years in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and England, where he studied languages and literature. These travels helped him learn about different cultures and inspired his writing.

His first collection of poems, Voices of the Night, was published in 1839. In 1842 he published Ballads and Other Poems. Longfellow loved legends and folk-tales, and his best-known long poem, The Song of Hiawatha (1855), is based on the stories of Native Americans. In this poem, Longfellow showed his respect and sympathy for the people of the past. His poems are full of rhythm, melody, and dramatic power.

Longfellow was a kind and friendly person. He always had time to welcome visitors. Children especially loved him, and at the end of his life, they gave him a large chair made from a chestnut tree as a gift.

Walt Whitman, another famous American poet, said that Longfellow was a poet for everyone, especially young people. His poetry continues to inspire readers with its beauty, melody, and kindness.