William Cullen Bryant

Poems by William Cullen Bryant

This supreme collection of William Cullen Bryant's poetry includes his original works, his unique translations of several classic poems, plus an anthology of little-seen verses he composed in later life.

A highly regarded poet of the romantic era, Bryant was rarely out of the American public's eye. For many years he served as editor of the popular newspaper the New York Evening Post, as well as contributing poems and essays to several other magazines and periodicals, Bryant's name was synonymous with the USA's fledgling artistic expression and literature throughout much of the nineteenth century.

Bryant's most famous poem, Thanatopsis, was subject to much surprise in that many assumed it had been plagiarized, or at least ghost-written, by a European poet. When it was published in the early nineteenth century, there had been little romantic poetry of such quality produced by an American. After William Bryant had published a number of well-received works, praise from esteemed figures such as Edgar Allan Poe was forthcoming.

Much of Bryant's poetry is enshrined in an atmosphere of peace and solitude, contemplating nature and life in a meditative and calm manner. Never trying for popularity or moved by trends, Bryant's style changed but little throughout his life, although some critics have noted his melancholy became more pronounced as he aged.

By old age William Cullen Bryant and his verses were held in national regard, and he was frequently depicted in popular art and portraiture of the era. He used his prominence to influence civic development in New York, and notably was instrumental in encouraging the development of what is now Central Park. Following his death, several places and educational institutions were named after him.