Publication details of 'The Song of Hiawatha':

1855

Other literary works include:

Born:

February 27, 1807, in Portland, Maine.

Early years:

Longfellow was fond of reading from an early age. Washington Irving's Sketch-Book was his favorite and at thirteen he wrote his first poem, 'The Battle of Lovell's Pond,' which appeared in Portland Gazette.

Schooling:

When only three years old, Longfellow attended school with his older brother Stephen. Then they relocated to a private school run by Nathaniel H. Carter. Incredibly intelligent, by age six, Longfellow already knew Latin grammar, could read, spell and multiply. He then moved to Portland Academy to continue his education where he remained until he enrolled in college.

Career:

The most popular American poet of the 19th century, a storyteller, whose works are still cited - or parodied. His poetry and narrative works are lyrical with an easy rhythm, making them memorable. In 1834, Longfellow was appointed a professorship at Harvard. In 1839, Longfellow published his first book of poems, Voices of the Night. He felt that teaching interfered with his writing and resigned from Harvard in 1854. In June of that year he started writing The Song of Hiawatha.

Final years:

Longfellow published over twenty books, the last book, In the Harbor, in 1882. The Bells of San Blas (his last poem) was written close to March 24, 1882, the date he died at age 75 of peritonitis, which claimed his life within five days.

Died:

March 24, 1882, Cambridge, Massachusetts