Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ( )  The most popular American poet of the 19th century, a storyteller.  Longfellow's works ranged from sentimental pieces such as 'The Village Blacksmith' to translations of Dante.  Longfellow is considered the first professional American poet.  Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in Portland, Maine.  His father, Stephen Longfellow, was a Portland lawyer and congressman, and mother, Zilpah, was the daughter of General Peleg Wadsworth and a descendant of John Alden of the Mayflower.  Longfellow's translation of Horace earned him a scholarship for further studies.  After graduating in 1825 he traveled in Italy, France and Spain from 1826 to 1829, and returned to the United States to work as a professor and librarian in Bodwoin.

In 1831 he married Mart Storer Potter, and made with her another journey to Europe, where he studied Swedish, Danish, Finnish, and the Dutch language and literature.In 1831 he married Mart Storer Potter, and made with her another journey to Europe, where he studied Swedish, Danish, Finnish, and the Dutch language and literature. On this trip he fell under the influence of German Romanticism. Longfellow's wife died at Rotterdam in 1835.On this trip he fell under the influence of German Romanticism. Longfellow's wife died at Rotterdam in Longfellow went to Europe third time in He wrote several poems on slavery, publishing them in a pamphlet on his return.Longfellow went to Europe third time in He wrote several poems on slavery, publishing them in a pamphlet on his return. In 1836 Longfellow began teaching in Harvard, taking lodgings at the historic Craigie House, where General Washington and his wife had lived.In 1836 Longfellow began teaching in Harvard, taking lodgings at the historic Craigie House, where General Washington and his wife had lived. Longfellow was married twice - after the death of his first wife he married in 1843 Frances Appleton, the daughter of a prominent Boston merchant.. Frances died tragicallyLongfellow was married twice - after the death of his first wife he married in 1843 Frances Appleton, the daughter of a prominent Boston merchant.. Frances died tragically Frances died tragically in 1861 by burning - her dress caught fire from a lighted match.Frances died tragically in 1861 by burning - her dress caught fire from a lighted match.

In 1868 Longfellow made his last visit to Europe with his three daughters. He spent two days with the English poet Alfred Tennyson in the Isle of Wright. Queen Victoria, who was his great admirer, invited him to tea.In 1868 Longfellow made his last visit to Europe with his three daughters. He spent two days with the English poet Alfred Tennyson in the Isle of Wright. Queen Victoria, who was his great admirer, invited him to tea. Longfellow died in Cambridge on March 24, In London his marble image is seen in Westminster Abbey, in the Poet's Corner.Longfellow died in Cambridge on March 24, In London his marble image is seen in Westminster Abbey, in the Poet's Corner.