Encyclopedia, Difference between revisions of "John Greenleaf Whittier" - New World

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| death_date  = [[September 7]], [[1892]]
 
| death_date  = [[September 7]], [[1892]]
 
| death_place = [[Hampton Falls, New Hampshire|Hampton Falls]], [[New Hampshire]], [[United States]]
 
| death_place = [[Hampton Falls, New Hampshire|Hampton Falls]], [[New Hampshire]], [[United States]]
−
| occupation  = Writer, Political Activist}}  
+
| occupation  = Writer, Political Activist}}
  
−
'''John Greenleaf Whittier''' ([[December 17]], [[1807]] – [[September 7]], [[1892]]) was an American [[Quaker]] [[poet]] and forceful advocate of the abolition of [[slavery]] in the [[United States]]. In his work with the abolitionist movement, he was also involved in the formation of the Republican Party. In the field of literature, he is best known for writing and publishing ''Snow-Bound'' in 1866, which was a best seller throughout the remainder of his lifetime.  From the profets of this poem, he was able to live comfortably at home until he died on [[September 7, 1892]] at a friend’s home in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, and was buried with the rest of his family in Amesbury.  
+
'''John Greenleaf Whittier''' ([[December 17]], [[1807]] – [[September 7]], [[1892]]) was an American [[Quaker]] [[poet]] and forceful advocate of the abolition of [[slavery]] in the [[United States]]. In his work with the abolitionist movement, he was also involved in the formation of the Republican Party. In the field of literature, he is best known for writing and publishing ''Snow-Bound'' in 1866, which was a best seller throughout the remainder of his lifetime.  From the profits of this poem, he was able to live comfortably at home until he died on [[September 7, 1892]] at a friend’s home in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, and was buried with the rest of his family in Amesbury.  
  
 
==Life==
 
==Life==
Line 16: Line 16:
 
===Early Life===
 
===Early Life===
  
−
John Greenleaf Whittier was born on December 17, 1807, as the second of four children to John and Abigail Hussey Whittier, at the rural homestead in [[Haverhill, Massachusetts]]. He grew up on the [[farm]] in a household with his parents, a brother and two sisters, a maternal aunt and paternal uncle, and a constant flow of visitors and hired hands for the farm. The house that he and his family resided in was originally built by the first Whittier, after coming to New England in 1683.  This home, John Greenleaf Whittier's birthplace, is now called Amesbury home, and is open to the public as a tourist attraction.  Begining in 1814, he attended the district school during the short winter terms.  In 1821, at school, he was first introduced to poetry, that of Burns, by a teacher.  After this, he began to write poetry on his own in his spare time.   
+
John Greenleaf Whittier was born on December 17, 1807, as the second of four children to John and Abigail Hussey Whittier, at the rural homestead in [[Haverhill, Massachusetts]]. He grew up on the [[farm]] in a household with his parents, a brother and two sisters, a maternal aunt and paternal uncle, and a constant flow of visitors and hired hands for the farm. The house that he and his family resided in was originally built by the first Whittier, after coming to New England in 1683.  This home, John Greenleaf Whittier's birthplace, is now called Amesbury home, and is open to the public as a tourist attraction.  Beginning in 1814, he attended the district school during the short winter terms.  In 1821, at school, he was first introduced to poetry, that of Burns, by a teacher.  After this, he began to write poetry on his own in his spare time.   
  
−
John continued writing and in 1826, his sister sent a copy of his work entitled, ''The Exile’s Departure,'' which was an imitation of Scott, to the Newburyport Free Press to be published.  The editor at the time, [[William Lloyd Garrison]], published the piece and liked it so much that he sought out the author to encourage him to get an education and develop his literary talents.  Due to this encouragement, Whittier sent out many poems to local newspapers, which accepted more than eighty of them. The works of Scott and Byron seem to have furnished the models from these fluent, “correct,” and often-florid verses that Whittier produced.  However, Whittier was far from famous due to his poems.  In fact, he supported himself by shoemaking and school teaching for two terms at Haverhill Academy.  This also completed his formal education as well in 1829.  Throughout this time in his life until 1832, he edited a number of newspapers, including ''Boston weekly newspaper'', ''The American Manufacturer'', ''Essex Gazette'' (Haverhill).  While living at home at this less prestigious position at the ''Essex Gazette'', his father died.  He then goes on to edit the important ''New England Review'' in Hartford for around eighteen months.  
+
John continued writing and in 1826, his sister sent a copy of his work entitled, ''The Exile’s Departure,'' which was an imitation of Scott, to the Newburyport Free Press to be published.  The editor at the time, [[William Lloyd Garrison]], published the piece and liked it so much that he sought out the author to encourage him to get an education and develop his literary talents.  Due to this encouragement, Whittier sent out many poems to local newspapers, which accepted more than eighty of them. The works of Scott and Byron seem to have furnished the models from these fluent, “correct,” and often-florid verses that Whittier produced.  However, Whittier was far from famous due to his poems.  In fact, he supported himself by shoe-making and school teaching for two terms at Haverhill Academy.  This also completed his formal education as well in 1829.  Throughout this time in his life until 1832, he edited a number of newspapers, including ''Boston weekly newspaper'', ''The American Manufacturer'', ''Essex Gazette'' (Haverhill).  While living at home at this less prestigious position at the ''Essex Gazette'', his father died.  He then goes on to edit the important ''New England Review'' in Hartford for around eighteen months.  
  
 
===Political Aspirations===
 
===Political Aspirations===
  
−
Even though Whittier enjoyed writing, he desired for a career in polics as well to better express his views, specifically on the [[Abolitionist Movement]].  In 1833, he was elected to the state convention of the [[National Republican party]] and unsuccessfully sought a position in office as a [[Whig]].  After the election, Garrison urged him to join the [[Anti-Slavery Party]], which he did, and also became a delegate to the first meeting of the [[American Anti-Slavery Convention]]. At this point, Whittier wished to connect his two passions, and began placing Abolitionist verses into his writing.  The result was, 'Justice and Expediency'', a powerful anti-slavery tract.   
+
Even though Whittier enjoyed writing, he desired for a career in polices as well to better express his views, specifically on the [[Abolitionist Movement]].  In 1833, he was elected to the state convention of the [[National Republican party]] and unsuccessfully sought a position in office as a [[Whig]].  After the election, Garrison urged him to join the [[Anti-Slavery Party]], which he did, and also became a delegate to the first meeting of the [[American Anti-Slavery Convention]]. At this point, Whittier wished to connect his two passions, and began placing Abolitionist verses into his writing.  The result was, 'Justice and Expediency'', a powerful anti-slavery tract.   
  
−
In 1835, he was elected to the Massachusetts legislature, where he continued his work with Abolitionist pieces of legistlature.  He was still living on the farm, which he managed and oversaw, while editing the ''Haverhill Gazette'' as well from home. He eventually sold the house and farm, in 1836, and moved, along with his mother and sisters, to the home which he would ultimately reside.  During this time, he became actively involved in working for the Abolitionist cause in New York and Philadelphia. A collection of his Abolitionist verse, ''Poems Written during the Progress of the Abolition Question in the United States'', appears in print.
+
In 1835, he was elected to the Massachusetts legislature, where he continued his work with Abolitionist pieces of legislature.  He was still living on the farm, which he managed and oversaw, while editing the ''Haverhill Gazette'' as well from home. He eventually sold the house and farm, in 1836, and moved, along with his mother and sisters, to the home which he would ultimately reside.  During this time, he became actively involved in working for the Abolitionist cause in New York and Philadelphia. A collection of his Abolitionist verse, ''Poems Written during the Progress of the Abolition Question in the United States'', appears in print.
 
Through his intensive involvement with the Abolitionist movement, he feuds and breaks with Garrison, specifically regarding the issue of Abolitionist tactics.  Whittier then helped to  found the Liberty party, which he hoped would find a wider political base than Garrison’s radical Abolitionism for the antislavery cause as a whole.  
 
Through his intensive involvement with the Abolitionist movement, he feuds and breaks with Garrison, specifically regarding the issue of Abolitionist tactics.  Whittier then helped to  found the Liberty party, which he hoped would find a wider political base than Garrison’s radical Abolitionism for the antislavery cause as a whole.  
  
−
Whittier was an activist all his life, although there is no record of him ever speaking in meeting, and, unlike some others who were Orthodox, he found time to engage in politics and championed abolitionism.  He was also no stranger for the price that voicing a desire for freedom cost him.  Not only did he loose friends over the movement, but also, in 1838, a mob burned him out of his offices in the antislavery center of Pennsylvania Hall in [[Philadelphia]].  Such dangerous situations became a norm for Whittier, as he fought for the Abolitionist Movement for the rest of his life.  Whittier also envolved himself in the formation and foundation of the [[Republican Party]] in politics as well.
+
Whittier was an activist all his life, although there is no record of him ever speaking in meeting, and, unlike some others who were Orthodox, he found time to engage in politics and championed abolitionism.  He was also no stranger for the price that voicing a desire for freedom cost him.  Not only did he loose friends over the movement, but also, in 1838, a mob burned him out of his offices in the antislavery center of Pennsylvania Hall in [[Philadelphia]].  Such dangerous situations became a norm for Whittier, as he fought for the Abolitionist Movement for the rest of his life.  Whittier also involved himself in the formation and foundation of the [[Republican Party]] in politics as well.
  
 
===Withdrawal From Activism===
 
===Withdrawal From Activism===
  
−
Due to his failing health, Whittie gradually withdrew from political activism in 1840, when he returned home for good.  He also resigned the editorship of the ''Pennsylvania Freeman'' at this time as well because of his health.  During this time, he published a number of poems and various works that became well known. With incresingly poor health, Whittier died on September 7, 1892 at a friend’s home in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire.  He was burried with the rest of his family in Amesbury, where the grave can still be seen.
+
Due to his failing health, Whittie gradually withdrew from political activism in 1840, when he returned home for good.  He also resigned the editorship of the ''Pennsylvania Freeman'' at this time as well because of his health.  During this time, he published a number of poems and various works that became well known. With increasingly poor health, Whittier died on September 7, 1892 at a friend’s home in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire.  He was buried with the rest of his family in Amesbury, where the grave can still be seen.
  
 
==Works==
 
==Works==
  
−
After his father’s death, Whittier published ''Legends of New England'', his first book, which was a mixture of prose and verse.  Later in life, he deprecated the work, and even refused to permit for it to continue to be printed and placed into circulation, due to his embarrassment about the book.  However, his poetry was somewhat more sucessful with himself.  In 1838, he published the first authorized collection of his poetry, ''Poems'' while editing ''Pennsylvania Freeman''.  He continued to write and publish Abolitionist poetry throughout this period in his life.   
+
After his father’s death, Whittier published ''Legends of New England'', his first book, which was a mixture of prose and verse.  Later in life, he deprecated the work, and even refused to permit for it to continue to be printed and placed into circulation, due to his embarrassment about the book.  However, his poetry was somewhat more successful with himself.  In 1838, he published the first authorized collection of his poetry, ''Poems'' while editing ''Pennsylvania Freeman''.  He continued to write and publish Abolitionist poetry throughout this period in his life.   
  
−
During his withdrawal from the movement due to his failing health, Whittier began to show an interest in history, as he had in the beginings of his poetry.  The publication of ''Lays of My Home'' suggests such, the renewal of his early interest in regional and historic subjects for his verse.  While working on other pieces, such as ''Voices of Freedom'', Whittier edited the  ''National Era'', which served as the chief outlet for his poetry and prose for the next decade.  After this, he continued to write and publish numerous poems, placing his name with that of other popular writers of his time.   
+
During his withdrawal from the movement due to his failing health, Whittier began to show an interest in history, as he had in the beginnings of his poetry.  The publication of ''Lays of My Home'' suggests such, the renewal of his early interest in regional and historic subjects for his verse.  While working on other pieces, such as ''Voices of Freedom'', Whittier edited the  ''National Era'', which served as the chief outlet for his poetry and prose for the next decade.  After this, he continued to write and publish numerous poems, placing his name with that of other popular writers of his time.   
 
   
 
   
−
In the 1850s, he encourgaed Sumner to run for office, after which, his poetic energies shifted from the political to the personal and legendary became more pronounced in his writings.  Then, in 1857, he assured for the first time of a wide reading public in the company of the period’s most respected authors in founding the ''Atlantic Monthly.''  The publication of ''Snow Bound'' in 1866 made Whittier famous in his own writing, not editing, making him still known today.
+
In the 1850s, he encouraged Sumner to run for office, after which, his poetic energies shifted from the political to the personal and legendary became more pronounced in his writings.  Then, in 1857, he assured for the first time of a wide reading public in the company of the period’s most respected authors in founding the ''Atlantic Monthly.''  The publication of ''Snow Bound'' in 1866 made Whittier famous in his own writing, not editing, making him still known today.
  
 
==Legacy==
 
==Legacy==
−
Highly regarded in his lifetime and for a period thereafter he is now remembered largely for the patriotic poem ''[[s:Barbara Frietchie|Barbara Frietchie]]'', as well as for a number of poems turned into [[hymn]]s, some of which remain exceedingly popular. Although clearly [[Victorian era|Victorian]] in style, and capable of being sentimental, his hymns exhibit both imagination and [[universalism]] of that set them beyond ordinary [[19th century]] hymnody. Best known is probably ''[[Dear Lord and Father of Mankind]]'' taken from his poem [[Dear Lord and Father of Mankind#The Brewing of Soma|The Brewing of Soma]], but Whittier's Quaker thought is better illustrated by the hymn that begins:
 
  
−
[[Image:Our Countrymen in Chains.jpg|thumb|250px|Broadside publication of Whittier's ''Our Countrymen in Chains'']]
+
Highly regarded in his lifetime and for a period thereafter, he is now remembered largely for the patriotic poem ''[[s:Barbara Frietchie|Barbara Frietchie]]'', as well as for a number of poems turned into [[hymn]]s, some of which remain exceedingly popular. Although clearly [[Victorian era|Victorian]] in style, and capable of being sentimental, his hymns exhibit both imagination and [[universalism]] of that set them beyond ordinary [[19th century]] hymnody. Best known is probably ''[[Dear Lord and Father of Mankind]]'' taken from his poem [[Dear Lord and Father of Mankind#The Brewing of Soma|The Brewing of Soma]].
 +
 
 +
A bridge named for Whittier, built in the style of the [[Sagamore Bridge|Sagamore]] and [[Bourne Bridge]]s spanning [[Cape Cod Canal]], carries [[Interstate 95]] from Amesbury to [[Newburyport, Massachusetts|Newburyport]] over the [[Merrimack River]]. The city of [[Whittier, California]], the [[Minneapolis, MN|Minneapolis]] neighborhood of [[Whittier, Minneapolis|Whittier]] and the town of [[Greenleaf, Idaho]] were named in his honor. Both [[Whittier College]] and [[Whittier Law School]] are also named after him. 
 +
 
 +
Whittier's hometown of [[Haverhill, Massachusetts]] has named many buildings and landmarks in his honor including J.G. Whittier Middle School, Greenleaf Elementary, and [[Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School]]. Whittier's family farm, [[John Greenleaf Whittier Homestead]] also called "Whittier's Birthplace" is now a historic site open to the public as is the [[John Greenleaf Whittier Home]], his residence in Amesbury for 56 years.
  
−
:''O Brother Man, fold to thy heart thy brother:''
 
−
:''Where pity dwells, the peace of God is there;''
 
−
:''To worship rightly is to love each other,''
 
−
:''Each smile a hymn, each kindly word a prayer.''
 
  
−
It also shows in his poem "To Rönge" in honour of [[Johannes Ronge]], the German religious figure and rebel leader of the 1848 rebellion in Germany:
+
===Selected Bibliography===
 +
===Poetry===
 +
*''Among the Hills'' (1869)
 +
*''At Sundown'' (1890)
 +
*''Hazel-Blossoms'' (1875)
 +
*''Home Ballads'' (1860)
 +
*''In War Time'' (1864)
 +
*''Justice and Expediency'' (1833)
 +
*''Lays of My Home'' (1843)
 +
*''Legends of New England in Prose and Verse'' (1831)
 +
*''Miriam and Other Poems'' (1871)
 +
*''Moll Pitcher'' (1832)
 +
*''Poems'' (1838)
 +
*''Poems by John G. Whittier'' (1849)
 +
*''Poetical Works'' (1857)
 +
*''Snow-Bound'' (1866)
 +
*''Songs of Labor'' (1850)
 +
*''St. Gregory's Guest'' (1886)
 +
*''The Chapel of the Hermits'' (1853)
 +
*''The Complete Poetical Works of John Greenleaf Whittier'' (1894)
 +
*''The Panorama'' (1846)
 +
*''The Tent on the Beach'' (1867)
 +
*''The Vision of Echard'' (1878)
 +
*''Voices of Freedom'' (1846)
  
−
:''Thy work is to hew down. In God's name then:''
+
===Prose===
−
:''Put nerve into thy task. Let other men;''
 
−
:''Plant, as they may, that better tree whose fruit,''
 
−
:''The wounded bosom of the Church shall heal.''
 
  
−
His words still reverberate today, particularly through his poem "Maud Muller" with its famous line: "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!'"
+
*''Leaves from Margaret Smith's Journal'' (1849)
 +
*''Literary Recreations and Miscellanies'' (1854)
 +
*''Old Portraits and Modern Sketches'' (1850)
  
−
Whittier died at [[Hampton Falls, New Hampshire]], and is buried in [[Amesbury, Massachusetts]]. {{Fact|date=April 2007}}
+
==References==
  
−
==Legacy==
+
* John Greenleaf Whittier, John B. Pickard, and W. F. Jolliff: ''The Poetry of John Greenleaf Whittier: A Readers' Edition''.  USA: Friends United Press, June 1, 2000. ISBN 0944350488.   
−
A bridge named for Whittier, built in the style of the [[Sagamore Bridge|Sagamore]] and [[Bourne Bridge]]s spanning [[Cape Cod Canal]], carries [[Interstate 95]] from Amesbury to [[Newburyport, Massachusetts|Newburyport]] over the [[Merrimack River]]. The city of [[Whittier, California]], the [[Minneapolis, MN|Minneapolis]] neighborhood of [[Whittier, Minneapolis|Whittier]] and the town of [[Greenleaf, Idaho]] were named in his honor. Both [[Whittier College]] and [[Whittier Law School]] are also named after him.   
 
  
−
Whittier's hometown of [[Haverhill, Massachusetts]] has named many buildings and landmarks in his honor including J.G. Whittier Middle School, Greenleaf Elementary, and [[Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School]]. Whittier's family farm, [[John Greenleaf Whittier Homestead]] also called "Whittier's Birthplace" is now a historic site open to the public as is the [[John Greenleaf Whittier Home]], his residence in Amesbury for 56 years.
+
* John Greenleaf Whittier: ''Complete Poetical Works of John Greenleaf Whittier''.  New York: Kessinger Publishing, July 2003.  ISBN 0766170659.  
  
−
The [[alternate history]] story [[P.'s Correspondence]] ([[1846]]) by [[Nathaniel Hawthorne]], considered the first such story ever published in English, includes the notice "Whittier, a fiery Quaker youth, to whom the muse had perversely assigned a battle-trumpet, got himself lynched, in South Carolina". The date of that event in Hawthorne's invented timeline was [[1835]].
+
* John Greenleaf Whittier: ''Selected Poems (American Poets Project)''.  Whittier Los Angeles: Library of America, March 30, 2004. ISBN 1931082596.
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
−
{{Wikisource author}}
 
−
{{wikiquote}}
 
−
* [http://www.kimopress.com/whittier.htm Whittier autobiography & poems]
 
−
* [http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/w/h/i/whittier_jg.htm Whittier biography & hymns]
 
−
* {{gutenberg author| id=John+Greenleaf+Whittier | name=John Greenleaf Whittier}}
 
−
* [http://antislavery.eserver.org/poetry/whittierpennsylvaniahall/ Address on the Opening of Pennsylvania Hall], from the Antislavery Literature Project.
 
−
* [http://www.essexheritage.org/visiting/placestovisit/listofsitesbycommunity/amesbury_whittier-home.shtml John Greenleaf Whittier Home, Amesbury, Massachusetts]
 
−
* [http://www.amesburyquaker.org Quaker Meeting where Whittier was a member]
 
−
* [http://www.two17records.com Audio of Greenleaf's works by Michael Maglaras]
 
  
−
==References==
+
* [http://www.johngreenleafwhittier.com/ Official Site].  Retrieved July 1, 2007.
 +
 
 +
* [http://www.kimopress.com/whittier.htm Whittier autobiography & poems].  Retrieved July 1, 2007.
 +
 
 +
* [http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/w/h/i/whittier_jg.htm Whittier biography & hymns]  Retrieved July 1, 2007.
  
−
Volume 1 The Whittier Bi-centennial Recording Project, featuring the poem "Snow-Bound" read by Michael Maglaras [http://www.two17records.com]
 
  
−
*Jackson, Phyllis Wynn, ''Victorian Cinderella: The Story of Harriet Beecher Stowe''; H. Wolff Book Manufacturing Company, New York, 1947.
 
  
 
[[category:Art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]
 
[[category:Art, music, literature, sports and leisure]]
 
{{credits|John_Greenleaf_Whittier|134083393}}
 
{{credits|John_Greenleaf_Whittier|134083393}}

Revision as of 20:27, 1 July 2007

John Greenleaf Whittier
John Greenleaf Whittier.jpg
"All the windows of my heart I open to the day"
Born: December 17, 1807
Haverhill, Massachusetts, United States
Died: September 7, 1892
Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, United States
Occupation(s): Writer, Political Activist

John Greenleaf Whittier (December 17, 1807 – September 7, 1892) was an American Quaker poet and forceful advocate of the abolition of slavery in the United States. In his work with the abolitionist movement, he was also involved in the formation of the Republican Party. In the field of literature, he is best known for writing and publishing Snow-Bound in 1866, which was a best seller throughout the remainder of his lifetime. From the profits of this poem, he was able to live comfortably at home until he died on September 7, 1892 at a friend’s home in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, and was buried with the rest of his family in Amesbury.

Life

Early Life

John Greenleaf Whittier was born on December 17, 1807, as the second of four children to John and Abigail Hussey Whittier, at the rural homestead in Haverhill, Massachusetts. He grew up on the farm in a household with his parents, a brother and two sisters, a maternal aunt and paternal uncle, and a constant flow of visitors and hired hands for the farm. The house that he and his family resided in was originally built by the first Whittier, after coming to New England in 1683. This home, John Greenleaf Whittier's birthplace, is now called Amesbury home, and is open to the public as a tourist attraction. Beginning in 1814, he attended the district school during the short winter terms. In 1821, at school, he was first introduced to poetry, that of Burns, by a teacher. After this, he began to write poetry on his own in his spare time.

John continued writing and in 1826, his sister sent a copy of his work entitled, The Exile’s Departure, which was an imitation of Scott, to the Newburyport Free Press to be published. The editor at the time, William Lloyd Garrison, published the piece and liked it so much that he sought out the author to encourage him to get an education and develop his literary talents. Due to this encouragement, Whittier sent out many poems to local newspapers, which accepted more than eighty of them. The works of Scott and Byron seem to have furnished the models from these fluent, “correct,” and often-florid verses that Whittier produced. However, Whittier was far from famous due to his poems. In fact, he supported himself by shoe-making and school teaching for two terms at Haverhill Academy. This also completed his formal education as well in 1829. Throughout this time in his life until 1832, he edited a number of newspapers, including Boston weekly newspaper, The American Manufacturer, Essex Gazette (Haverhill). While living at home at this less prestigious position at the Essex Gazette, his father died. He then goes on to edit the important New England Review in Hartford for around eighteen months.

Political Aspirations

Even though Whittier enjoyed writing, he desired for a career in polices as well to better express his views, specifically on the Abolitionist Movement. In 1833, he was elected to the state convention of the National Republican party and unsuccessfully sought a position in office as a Whig. After the election, Garrison urged him to join the Anti-Slavery Party, which he did, and also became a delegate to the first meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Convention. At this point, Whittier wished to connect his two passions, and began placing Abolitionist verses into his writing. The result was, 'Justice and Expediency, a powerful anti-slavery tract.

In 1835, he was elected to the Massachusetts legislature, where he continued his work with Abolitionist pieces of legislature. He was still living on the farm, which he managed and oversaw, while editing the Haverhill Gazette as well from home. He eventually sold the house and farm, in 1836, and moved, along with his mother and sisters, to the home which he would ultimately reside. During this time, he became actively involved in working for the Abolitionist cause in New York and Philadelphia. A collection of his Abolitionist verse, Poems Written during the Progress of the Abolition Question in the United States, appears in print. Through his intensive involvement with the Abolitionist movement, he feuds and breaks with Garrison, specifically regarding the issue of Abolitionist tactics. Whittier then helped to found the Liberty party, which he hoped would find a wider political base than Garrison’s radical Abolitionism for the antislavery cause as a whole.

Whittier was an activist all his life, although there is no record of him ever speaking in meeting, and, unlike some others who were Orthodox, he found time to engage in politics and championed abolitionism. He was also no stranger for the price that voicing a desire for freedom cost him. Not only did he loose friends over the movement, but also, in 1838, a mob burned him out of his offices in the antislavery center of Pennsylvania Hall in Philadelphia. Such dangerous situations became a norm for Whittier, as he fought for the Abolitionist Movement for the rest of his life. Whittier also involved himself in the formation and foundation of the Republican Party in politics as well.

Withdrawal From Activism

Due to his failing health, Whittie gradually withdrew from political activism in 1840, when he returned home for good. He also resigned the editorship of the Pennsylvania Freeman at this time as well because of his health. During this time, he published a number of poems and various works that became well known. With increasingly poor health, Whittier died on September 7, 1892 at a friend’s home in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire. He was buried with the rest of his family in Amesbury, where the grave can still be seen.

Works

After his father’s death, Whittier published Legends of New England, his first book, which was a mixture of prose and verse. Later in life, he deprecated the work, and even refused to permit for it to continue to be printed and placed into circulation, due to his embarrassment about the book. However, his poetry was somewhat more successful with himself. In 1838, he published the first authorized collection of his poetry, Poems while editing Pennsylvania Freeman. He continued to write and publish Abolitionist poetry throughout this period in his life.

During his withdrawal from the movement due to his failing health, Whittier began to show an interest in history, as he had in the beginnings of his poetry. The publication of Lays of My Home suggests such, the renewal of his early interest in regional and historic subjects for his verse. While working on other pieces, such as Voices of Freedom, Whittier edited the National Era, which served as the chief outlet for his poetry and prose for the next decade. After this, he continued to write and publish numerous poems, placing his name with that of other popular writers of his time.

In the 1850s, he encouraged Sumner to run for office, after which, his poetic energies shifted from the political to the personal and legendary became more pronounced in his writings. Then, in 1857, he assured for the first time of a wide reading public in the company of the period’s most respected authors in founding the Atlantic Monthly. The publication of Snow Bound in 1866 made Whittier famous in his own writing, not editing, making him still known today.

Legacy

Highly regarded in his lifetime and for a period thereafter, he is now remembered largely for the patriotic poem Barbara Frietchie, as well as for a number of poems turned into hymns, some of which remain exceedingly popular. Although clearly Victorian in style, and capable of being sentimental, his hymns exhibit both imagination and universalism of that set them beyond ordinary 19th century hymnody. Best known is probably Dear Lord and Father of Mankind taken from his poem The Brewing of Soma.

A bridge named for Whittier, built in the style of the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges spanning Cape Cod Canal, carries Interstate 95 from Amesbury to Newburyport over the Merrimack River. The city of Whittier, California, the Minneapolis neighborhood of Whittier and the town of Greenleaf, Idaho were named in his honor. Both Whittier College and Whittier Law School are also named after him.

Whittier's hometown of Haverhill, Massachusetts has named many buildings and landmarks in his honor including J.G. Whittier Middle School, Greenleaf Elementary, and Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School. Whittier's family farm, John Greenleaf Whittier Homestead also called "Whittier's Birthplace" is now a historic site open to the public as is the John Greenleaf Whittier Home, his residence in Amesbury for 56 years.


Selected Bibliography

Poetry

  • Among the Hills (1869)
  • At Sundown (1890)
  • Hazel-Blossoms (1875)
  • Home Ballads (1860)
  • In War Time (1864)
  • Justice and Expediency (1833)
  • Lays of My Home (1843)
  • Legends of New England in Prose and Verse (1831)
  • Miriam and Other Poems (1871)
  • Moll Pitcher (1832)
  • Poems (1838)
  • Poems by John G. Whittier (1849)
  • Poetical Works (1857)
  • Snow-Bound (1866)
  • Songs of Labor (1850)
  • St. Gregory's Guest (1886)
  • The Chapel of the Hermits (1853)
  • The Complete Poetical Works of John Greenleaf Whittier (1894)
  • The Panorama (1846)
  • The Tent on the Beach (1867)
  • The Vision of Echard (1878)
  • Voices of Freedom (1846)

Prose

  • Leaves from Margaret Smith's Journal (1849)
  • Literary Recreations and Miscellanies (1854)
  • Old Portraits and Modern Sketches (1850)

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • John Greenleaf Whittier, John B. Pickard, and W. F. Jolliff: The Poetry of John Greenleaf Whittier: A Readers' Edition. USA: Friends United Press, June 1, 2000. ISBN 0944350488.
  • John Greenleaf Whittier: Complete Poetical Works of John Greenleaf Whittier. New York: Kessinger Publishing, July 2003. ISBN 0766170659.
  • John Greenleaf Whittier: Selected Poems (American Poets Project). Whittier Los Angeles: Library of America, March 30, 2004. ISBN 1931082596.

External links

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