Longfellow Commemorative Medallion, 1907
Item 11146 info
Maine Historical Society
Schools, steamboats, geographic locations, and ordinary products -- even cigars -- were named for him and personalities from his poems.
In the 1870s, schoolchildren celebrated his birthday as if it were a national holiday.
Longfellow had international status as well.
In 1868, he made a triumphant tour of Europe. He was honored everywhere he went, but nowhere more than in England.
He was received by Queen Victoria and was awarded honorary degrees by Oxford and Cambridge universities.
The self-effacing New England poet received such tributes gratefully, but lightly.
Item 3 of 23
