Nathaniel Parker Willis

"Nathaniel Parker Willis" by Henry A. Beers is a biography that chronicles the life of Nathaniel Parker Willis, a significant American poet and journalist, particularly when compared to other writers such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The book starts by looking into Willis's family history, showing how his ancestors, especially his father and grandfather who worked in journalism, influenced his love for writing. It then talks about Willis's childhood in Portland, Maine, and later in Boston, where he went to school and met people who greatly impacted him. Beers shows how Willis began his writing career and explains how, even though he was popular, he still faced challenges in a changing literary world, where writers had to fight to stay relevant. This initial part of the biography sets up the themes and biographical details that will be explored as the story of Willis's life continues.