The Poetry of James Russell Lowell

James Russell Lowell was born on 22nd February 1819 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Lowell graduated from Harvard in 1838, and thence on to earn a law degree from Harvard Law School. His literary life began in 1841 with his first published collection of poetry. Three years later he married Maria White and they had several children although, sadly, only one was to survive childhood. A consuming issue at the time was the abolition of slavery. Lowell was a staunch supporter even going so far as to move to Philadelphia to edit an abolitionist newspaper. His poems were fully in support of Emancipation and the ending of this terrible abomination. His later views were milder and came in for some criticism. His publication in 1848 of the long poem ‘A Fable for Critics’, satirising the poets and critics of the then current poetry scene caused an uproar. That same year came ‘The Biglow Papers’, which increased his fame and his finances. His use of the Yankee accent in his character’s dialogue was an inspiration for many. Maria died in 1853 and Lowell decided to travel to Europe for some time before returning to Harvard to take up a professorship of languages. In 1857 he re-married and also took on the editorship of that key periodical ‘The Atlantic Monthly’ whilst continuing to teach at Harvard. Lowell wrote and published poetry and essay collections throughout his literary career and is acknowledged as one of the ‘Fireside Poets’, a group of New England poets that rivalled the popularity of British poets. Their work was not controversial and suitable for whole families to enjoy hence their name and appeal. Whilst Lowell’s own work does not now attract the same praise as his then contemporaries, he was their equal. Towards the end of his life Lowell was appointed as ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain and later to the Court of St. James's. His last years were a return home to his estate in Cambridge, Massachusetts. By the summer of 1891 doctors had diagnosed cancer in his kidneys, liver and lungs. There was nothing that they could do except prescribe opium for the pain. James Russell Lowell died on the 12th of August 1891 on the Cambridge estate where he was also born. He was 72. 01 - The Poetry of James Russell Lowell - An Introduction02 - Columbus by James Russell Lowell03 - George Washington by James Russell Lowell04 - Abraham Lincoln by James Russell Lowell05 - To H W L on His Birthday 27th February 1867 by James Russell Lowell06 - To Charles Eliot Norton - Agro Dolce by James Russell Lowell07 - Winter Evening Hymn To My Fire by James Russell Lowell08 - The First Snowfall by James Russell Lowell09 - Midnight by James Russell Lowell10 - On A Portrait of Dante by Giotto by James Russell Lowell11 - A Contrast by James Russell Lowell12 - Above and Below by James Russell Lowell13 - Of the Dawn of Freedom by James Russell Lowell14 - On Board the 76 by James Russell Lowell15 - Trial by James Russell Lowell16 - Ode to France, February 1848 by James Russell Lowell17 - Slaves by James Russell Lowell18 - An Incident in a Railroad Car by Jamers Russell Lowell19 - Threnodia by James Russell Lowell20 - A Requiem by James Russell Lowell21 - On the Death of a Friends Child by James Russell Lowell