The Poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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Born in 1807, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow became a professor, author, and poet. He was a master of languages and taught at Harvard for decades before resigning to dedicate his time to his literary pursuits.

He was one of the best-selling writers of the mid-nineteenth century, and some of the phrases in his poems are still in frequent use today, such as, "Into every life, a little rain must fall."

Learn more about The Life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Be sure to click on the four links at the bottom of the webpage to read about Longfellow's childhood, studies at Bowdoin and travels in Europe, his life in Cambridge, and his elder years.

As you read, answer the following questions on a separate sheet.

• How did Longfellow remember the order of his siblings' birth when he was a child?
• In what activities did Longfellow like to engage as a child?
• How old was Longfellow when he published his first poem, and what was the subject of the poem?
• What other famous writer graduated in the same class as Longfellow from Bowdoin College?
• What subject did Longfellow teach at Bowdoin and Harvard?
• What happened to Longfellow's first wife?
• In what period of his life was Longfellow most productive in his literary career?
• What did Craigie House become a symbol of for readers of Longfellow's poetry?
• For what reason did Longfellow grow his beard?
• Why did Longfellow write fewer original poems in his later years?

Now that you've learned about Longfellow's life, learn about his poetry.

As you read Henry Wadsworth Longfellow - Writing - Style and watch the video below, take notes on any poetical terms you are unfamiliar with and the themes that Longfellow used in his poetry.

• Was there any poetic technique with which you were unfamiliar?
• Did any of Longfellow's themes surprise you?

Move to the Got It? section to read some of Longfellow's famous poems.