18 Best Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Interesting Facts

Early Life and Education

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of America's most beloved poets, had a fascinating early life that shaped his literary career.

1. Born on February 27, 1807, in Portland, Maine, Longfellow grew up in a family that valued education and culture.
2. He attended Bowdoin College, where he was classmates with future writer Nathaniel Hawthorne.
3. Longfellow was fluent in multiple languages, including Latin, French, Spanish, and Italian, by the time he graduated from college.

Literary Career

Longfellow's literary career is marked by numerous achievements and contributions to American literature.

4. His first major work, "Voices of the Night," was published in 1839 and included the famous poem "A Psalm of Life."
5. Longfellow became the first American to translate Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" into English.
6. He was a professor at Harvard University, where he taught modern languages for nearly two decades.

Personal Life

Longfellow's personal life was filled with both joy and tragedy, which influenced his writing.

7. He married Mary Storer Potter in 1831, but she tragically died in 1835 after a miscarriage.
8. Longfellow's second wife, Frances Appleton, died in a fire in 1861, leaving him heartbroken.
9. He had six children, and his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, became a gathering place for literary figures.

Famous Works

Longfellow's body of work includes some of the most famous poems in American literature.

10. "Paul Revere's Ride," published in 1860, immortalized the midnight ride of the American patriot.
11. "The Song of Hiawatha," an epic poem published in 1855, is based on Native American legends.
12. "Evangeline," published in 1847, tells the story of an Acadian girl searching for her lost love.

Legacy and Honors

Longfellow's legacy continues to be celebrated, and he received numerous honors during his lifetime.

13. He was the first American poet to be honored with a bust in the Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey in London.
14. Longfellow's birthday, February 27, is celebrated as Longfellow Day in Portland, Maine.
15. His home in Cambridge, known as the Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, is preserved as a museum.

Interesting Tidbits

Here are some lesser-known facts about Longfellow that add depth to his intriguing life story.

16. Longfellow was a member of the Fireside Poets, a group of 19th-century American poets who were popular in their time.
17. He was an advocate for the abolition of slavery and expressed his views through his poetry.
18. Longfellow's poem "Christmas Bells" was later adapted into the popular Christmas carol "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."

Longfellow's life and work continue to inspire readers and writers around the world. His contributions to literature and his enduring legacy make him a fascinating figure in American history.

Longfellow's Lasting Legacy

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's impact on literature is undeniable. His poetry continues to inspire readers with its emotional depth and vivid imagery. Longfellow's works like "Paul Revere's Ride" and "The Song of Hiawatha" remain staples in American literature, showcasing his ability to blend historical events with poetic storytelling.

Beyond his writing, Longfellow's life was filled with fascinating facts that add layers to his legacy. From his multilingual abilities to his tragic personal losses, each aspect of his life contributes to understanding the man behind the words.

Exploring these interesting facts about Longfellow not only enriches our appreciation of his work but also provides a glimpse into the complex individual who shaped American poetry. His legacy endures, reminding us of the power of words to capture the human experience.