Whittier at close range

A close, personal portrait by a longtime neighbor and friend presents intimate glimpses of the poet's home life, friendships, and habits, concentrating on his Amesbury household, study and garden-room furnishings, and the artifacts and visitors that shaped his daily world. It traces themes in his verse—reverence for nature, sympathy with the lowly, and spiritual monotheism—links to the influence of Burns, and his commitment to abolition and human brotherhood. Anecdotes, descriptions of rooms and gifts, and recollections of visitors illuminate his character, poetic sensibility, and the domestic settings that inspired much of his work.