Romantic
poet, critic, editor, and diplomat
. He is associated with the Fireside Poets
, a group of New England
writers who were among the first American poets who rivaled the popularity of British poets. These poets usually used conventional forms and meters in their poetry, making them suitable for families entertaining at their fireside.
Lowell graduated from Harvard College
in 1838, despite his reputation as a troublemaker, and went on to earn a law degree from Harvard Law School
.
Earth’s noblest thing,—a woman perfected.
Who speaks the truth stabs Falsehood to the heart.
All thoughts that mould the age beginDeep down within the primitive soul.
It may be glorious to writeThoughts that shall glad the two or threeHigh souls, like those far stars that come in sightOnce in a century.
The thing we long for, that we areFor one transcendent moment.
From lower to the higher next,Not to the top, is Nature’s text;And embryo Good, to reach full stature,Absorbs the Evil in its nature.
No man is born into the world whose workIs not born with him. There is always work,And tools to work withal, for those who will;And blessed are the horny hands of toil.