henry wadsworth longfellow

BACKGROUND

• Born in Portland, ME
• Suffered deaths of two wives, then his third wife died in a fire that badly burned him as well when he tried to put out the flames
• This fire scarred his face and so he grew what became his famous beard

CAREER 

• College professor at Harvard College
• Most popular American poet of his time

WORKS 

• The Courtship of Miles Standish
• The Song of Hiawatha
• "Paul Revere's Ride"

QUOTE

• "You must do it yourself, you must not leave it to others!"

SIGNIFICANCE

• Exhalted American heritage by writing poetry from history
• Optimistic and sentimental view
• Encouraged a national interest in poetry