Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in Portland. He became a Harvard scholar versed in several European languages. Longfellow was heavily influenced by romanticism and became a poet and novelist with works. His most notable works include titles, such as “Hyperion” and “The Song of Hiawatha”.

He wrote predominantly lyric poems, appreciated for their musicality and often presenting stories of mythology and legend. Longfellow became the most popular American poet of his day and also had success overseas.

Nevertheless, he was also criticized for imitating European styles and writing specifically for the masses. He is also known for his translation of Dante’s “Divine Comedy”. Longfellow died in Cambridge, Massachusetts.