William Cullen Bryant was born on November 3, 1794 in Cummington, Massachusetts
He was an American poet and newspaper editor. He was exposed to American Literature by his father who was a respected physician. He celebrated the majesty of nature in a style that was influenced by the English romantics but also reflected a personal simplicity
and dignity. He also defended human rights and was a advocate of free trade, abolition of slavery, and other reforms. Bryant traveled widely, made many public speeches, and continued to write a few poems. On June 12, 1878 Bryant passed away, He also holds an
important place in literature as the earliest American theorist of poetry. Some of Bryant’s Famous works were “Lectures on Poetry”, “Iliad”, “Odyssey” and “Thanatopsis”.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was another famous Fireside poet. Longfellow was born on February 27, 1807 in Portland; Main He was the second son of seven siblings. Longfellow was an incredibly intelligent as a child, by age six, Longfellow already knew Latin grammar, could read, spell and multiply. Some of his talents were playing the flute and the piano. He attended Bowdoin College there he was asked to become the first professor of Modern Languages. Later Longfellow became a professor of modern languages at Harvard. Longfellow enjoyed writing about nature, He became known as the most famous fireside poet. Longfellow passed away on March 24, 1882 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Some of Longfellow’s famous works were “The First Snowfall”, “A Village black smith”, “Paul Revere” and “Hiawatha’s Childhood.
James Russell Lowell was born on 1819 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was an American poet, critic and editor. Lowell was educated in Harvard and later became professor of modern languages at Harvard. He abandoned law for literature and started a literary magazine which was called “The Pioneer”. He was influential in the intellectual life of New England. Lowell was an ardent abolitionist and was totally against slavery. In 1819 he died. Some of his famous works were “A Fable for Critics”, “The Vision of
Sir Launfal” and” The Bigelow Papers” In his later writings he turned to scholarship and criticism.
Oliver Wendell Holmes was also a fireside poet who was born on August 29, 1809 in Cambridge, Massachusetts He was an American physician, poet and humorist. He read law at Harvard and studied in Europe and took a degree as a doctor in medicine. Many of his sayings must stand among the finest specimens of American wit and humor; and his writings. He was known to have very brilliant and original thoughts. He died on September 7, 1892. Some of his famous poems were "Terpsichore," "Urania", ”Astreea", "The Balance of Allusions” and "The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table”. His essays full of fancy and humor, which has been successful both in the New and Old World.
John Greenleaf Whittier was born on December 17, 1807. He was the second child and grew up on a farm. He attended school at Haverhill Academy; there one of his teachers introduced him to poetry. He was also an abolitionist and After the Civil War he turned from politics and dedicated himself completely to poetry. He ran for Congress on the Liberty ticket in 1842 and was a founder of the Republican Party. After the Civil War he turned from politics and dedicated himself completely to poetry. He made nearly 100 hymns which were best known as “Dear Lord and father of Mankind”. Sadly Whittier passed away on September 7, 1892. Some of his famous works were “Newburyport Free Press”, ”Atlantic Monthly Magazine”, “Leaves from Margaret Smith’s Journal” and “Legends of New England”. He was recognized for being a great poet, and abolitionist and a supporter of women writing poetry.
In conclusion the Fireside poets have played a big role in American literature the qualities of their poetry was admirable, relaxing and comforting. The Fireside poets wrote during the time of the abolitionist movement or antislavery movement, it sought to end the enslavement of Africans and people of African descent. Their poetry helped put the reader’s minds at peace and ease. They were unique in many different ways and there were no other like them, they set a lasting effect for people of the 1800’s and up to this day they are still popular and famous for their works.