13V James Russell Lowell THE WORKS OF JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL 1899-1901 Decorative Gilt Uniform Binding Complete Set Riverside Press Fireside Poet Anti-Slavery Satire Biglow Papers Biography Essays War Poems Fable For Critics
Title: The Works of James Russell Lowell
Author: James Russell Lowell - James Russell Lowell was an American 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. He published his first collection of poetry in 1841 and married Maria White in 1844. He and his wife had several children, though only one survived past childhood. The couple soon became involved in the movement to abolish slavery, with Lowell using poetry to express his antislavery views and taking a job in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as the editor of an abolitionist newspaper. After moving back to Cambridge, Lowell was one of the founders of a journal called The Pioneer, which lasted only three issues. He gained notoriety in 1848 with the publication of "A Fable for Critics," a book-length poem satirizing contemporary critics and poets. The same year, he published "The Biglow Papers," which increased his fame. Lowell went on to publish several other poetry collections and essay collections throughout his literary career.

Maria White died in 1853, and Lowell accepted a professorship of languages at Harvard in 1854; he continued to teach there for twenty years. He traveled to Europe before officially assuming his role in 1856. He married his second wife, Frances Dunlap, shortly thereafter in 1857. That year Lowell also became editor of The Atlantic Monthly. It was not until 20 years later that Lowell received his first political appointment, the ambassadorship to Spain. He was later appointed ambassador to England. He spent his last years in Cambridge, in the same estate where he was born, and died there in 1891.

Lowell believed that the poet played an important role as a prophet and critic of society. He used poetry for reform, particularly in abolitionism. However, Lowell's commitment to the antislavery cause wavered over the years, as did his opinion on African-Americans. Lowell attempted to emulate the true Yankee accent in the dialogue of his characters, particularly in "The Biglow Papers." This depiction of the dialect, as well as Lowell's many satires, was an inspiration to writers like Mark Twain and H.L. Mencken.
Publisher: Houghton, Mifflin and Company/The Riverside Press, Cambridge
City: Boston and New York
Year: 1899-1901
Binding Style: Hardcover
Number of Volumes: 13 Full Set: Yes
Width: 5.5" Height: 8.25"
Book Details: This exceptionally well-preserved antique thirteen-volume set is uniformly bound in rust cloth with gilt spine lettering and ornamentation to the front boards. Each volume is enhance with tissue-guarded frontispieces and illustrated plates. Titles included in this collection are:

Literary Essays
Political Essays
Literary and Poetical Addresses
Earlier Poems, Sir Launfal, Etc.
The Biglow Papers
Fable for Critics, Under the Willows, Etc.
War Poems, Heartsease & Rue, Etc.
Latest Literary Essays, Old English Dramatists
Biography

Condition / Notes: These books show beautifully with only light age/wear indications to the boards and spines. The bindings are all solid. The pages are clean and there are no inscriptions or internal writings.

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