The Story of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“I want to be a writer. My whole soul burns most ardently for it.”

No one loved rambling through the woods and watching ships come and go from the port near his home as much as young Henry Longfellow. As he observed the world around him, words danced in his mind, and his very first poem, written at the age of thirteen, was a published success! Henry’s father, however, had other plans for his son. He wanted him to practice law. While respecting his father and persevering in his studies, young Henry found the way to follow his heart and become a great poet. His life was a grand though sometimes heartbreaking adventure, and the lessons he learned contributed to the greatness of his writing.