The White Mr. Longfellow (from Literary Friends and Acquaintance)

"The White Mr. Longfellow" by William Dean Howells is a biographical reflection on the life and character of the renowned poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Howells reminisces about his time in Cambridge, Massachusetts, surrounded by influential literary personalities like James Russell Lowell and Charles Eliot Norton, painting a vivid picture of the intellectual and social environment they shared. The narrative highlights the gatherings of the Dante Club, focusing on the group's critical discussions of Longfellow's translations of Dante and offering insights into the poet’s humble nature and noble character. Howells underscores the close-knit community's warmth, artistic integrity, and intellectual camaraderie, honoring Longfellow's enduring impact on those around him and securing his place as a celebrated figure in American literature.