While at Bowdoin, Longfellow taught French, Spanish and Italian and published a number of foreign language textbooks.
In 1834, he was offered a professorship in modern languages at Harvard College.
Before beginning his new job, he and his wife, Mary Potter Longfellow, went on a European trip so he could further improve his language skills.
While in Stockholm, he sat for popular artist Maria Rohl. Longfellow was 28 years old.
A few weeks after the portrait was completed, Mary Longfellow suffered a miscarriage and died shortly thereafter.
Despite being devastated by his loss, Longfellow continued his tour.
