THE BEST DAY TO REMEMBER THE CHILDREN'S POET

 

On February 27, 1807, H.W.LONGFELLOW was born at Portland, Maine. After completing his schooling at Portland Academy, Long Fellow entered Bowdoin College and ranked high in scholarship.

In 1868 Longfellow visited England and became the guest of Charles Dickens, and together they visited Landor at Bath.

Longfellow was a hard worker; he filled his post of professor at Harvard with honour until, finding his duties becoming irksome and wishing to devote his whole time to poetry, he resigned in 1854. He had published several volumes, among them:

Poems on slavery, written on the way home from England and published in 1842;

The Spanish student in 1843

Belfry of Bruges in 1846

Evangeline in 1847

Kavanagh in 1849

The Golden Legend, a story of the Middle Ages in 1851 and Hiawatha, dealing with Indian traditions in 1855.

The world famous "Village Blacksmith" had made its appearance in 1841 in Ballads and Poems.

Longfellow’s poems lend themselves to a musical setting better than other poets. Another aspect of his work is revealed in his concern with children and child life. He has been called “THE CHILDREN”S POET” and his simple directness, his tenderness, his unpretentious sentiment are at their best here.

There is no poet more readily understood and loved by children than he. The tales of  a wayside Inn can be appreciated by both young and old; but The Wreck of the schooner Hesperus, Pegasus in pound, The Leap of Roushan Beg, The three Kings, The Emperor’s Bird’s Nest – to mention a few only – have a peculiar appeal for children.

Indeed, who can doubt that the man who wrote THE CHILDREN’S HOUR knew how to warm young hearts and fire young imaginations?

What can be a more apt day to remember H.W.LONGFELLOW than the CHILDREN’S DAY today?

HAPPY CHILDREN’S DAY