The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 02 / Additional Poems (1837-1848)

Name: The Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes — Volume 02 / Additional Poems (1837-1848)
Author: Oliver Wendell Holmes

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

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American Literature Poetry

About This Book

A varied collection of lyric and narrative poems that moves between patriotic and historical tableaux, maritime and rural imagery, and lighthearted occasional pieces written for public dinners and celebrations. Many poems pair vivid descriptive detail with reflective commentary on memory, loss, and communal bonds, alternating robust, rhetorical lines with playful, conversational lyrics. Recurring subjects include voyages, early settlement scenes, public commemorations, and domestic objects turned emblematic. The overall tone shifts from elegiac and celebratory to satirical and convivial, showcasing formal variety and clear, image-driven storytelling.

About the Author

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. was an American physician, poet, and essayist, known for his contributions to literature and his role in the development of American thought in the 19th century. He was a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time and is best remembered for his work "A Mortal Antipathy," which explores themes of love and social interaction through a unique narrative style. Holmes was also a key member of the Fireside Poets, a group that included notable contemporaries such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and James Russell Lowell. His essays, particularly those in "Medical Essays, 1842-1882," reflect his keen observations on society and culture, showcasing his wit and intellect.