Значение слова LONGFELLOW в Литературной энциклопедии

LONGFELLOW

HENRY WADSWORTH (1807-1882).-Poet, was _b._ at Portland, Maine, the _s._ of Stephen L., a lawyer. From childhood he cared little for games, but was always devoted to reading. In 1822 he was sent to Bowdoin Coll., of which his _f._ was a Trustee, and after graduating was appointed to a new Chair of Modern Languages, which the coll. had decided to establish, and with the view of more completely qualifying him for his duties, he was sent to Europe for a three years' course of study. He accordingly went to France, Spain, and Italy. Returning in 1829 he commenced his professional duties, writing also in the _North American Review_. In 1831 he entered into his first marriage, and in 1833 he _pub._ his first books, a translation from the Spanish, followed by the first part of _Outre Mer_, an account of his travels. At the end of the year L. was invited to become Prof. of Modern Languages at Harvard, an offer which he gladly accepted. He paid a second visit to Europe accompanied by his wife, who, however, _d._ at Amsterdam. He returned to his duties in 1836, and in 1838 appeared _Voices of the Night_, containing the "Psalm of Life" and "Excelsior," which had extraordinary popularity, and gave him a place in the affections of his countrymen which he held until his death. The same year saw the publication of _Hyperion_. His next work was _Ballads and other Poems_, containing "The Wreck of the Hesperus" and "The Village Blacksmith." In 1843 he _m._ his second wife, and in the same year appeared _The Spanish Student_, a drama. The _Belfry of Bruges_ and _Evangeline_ (1847), generally considered his masterpiece, followed. In 1849 he _pub._ _Kavanagh_, a novel which added nothing to his reputation, and in 1851 _Seaside and Fireside_, and _The Golden Legend_. Having now a sufficient and secure income from his writings, he resigned his professorship, and devoted himself entirely to literature. _Hiawatha_ appeared in 1855, and _The Courtship of Miles Standish_ in 1858. In 1861 he lost his wife under tragic circumstances, a blow which told heavily upon him. His latest works were a translation of Dante's _Divina Commedia_, _Tales of a Wayside Inn_, _The New England Tragedies_, and _The Divine Tragedy_, the last two of which he combined with _The Golden Legend_ into a trilogy, which he named _Christus_. In 1868 he paid a last visit to England, where he was received with the highest honour. Later works were _Three Books of Song_, _Aftermath_, and _Ultima Thule_. He _d._ on March 14, 1882. L. lacked the intensity of feeling and power of imagination to make him a great poet; but few poets have appealed to a wider circle of readers. If he never soars to the heights or sounds the deeps of feeling he touches the heart by appealing to universal and deep-seated affections. He was a man of noble and chivalrous character. _Lives_ by S. Longfellow in Riverside ed. of works (11 vols. 1886-90), Robertson (Great Writers Series), and Higginson (American Men of Letters).

Литературная энциклопедия. 2012