James Russell Lowell: Fireside Poet and Publisher

This American poet chose to take action as a citizen, using his writing skills.
James Russell Lowell: Fireside Poet and Publisher
James Russell Lowell, 1894 after a drawing, circa 1855, by John Angel Wilcox/Adam Cuerden. Library of Congress. Public Domain
Trevor Phipps
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At a young age, James Russell Lowell (1819–1891) could have chosen multiple career paths, but he decided to follow his passion for the written word he had acquired in his youth. His unique flair for using humanity and nature in his poetry helped him become one of the most famous “fireside poets” of the 19th century. He wrote simply, and families recited his poems as they gathered around the hearth. Through his work, Lowell became one of the most influential poets and abolitionists of his time.
Lowell was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1819 to a Unitarian minister. He attended Harvard at 15, but he was a horrible student who often skipped class and got into trouble. While attending college, he became class poet. Later, he was admitted to the bar after taking just a single law class.
Trevor Phipps
Trevor Phipps
Author
For about 20 years, Trevor Phipps worked in the restaurant industry as a chef, bartender, and manager until he decided to make a career change. For the last several years, he has been a freelance journalist specializing in crime, sports, and history.