1. William Cullen Bryant Nov. 3, 1794-June 12, 1878 American Romanticism 10 th grade adv. English Shannon Luster

2. Early Life Bryant is the son of Puritan descendants who traveled to American aboard the Mayflower. Bryant is the son of Puritan descendants who traveled to American aboard the Mayflower. His father was a physician, but his father was a lover of literature and culture. His father was a physician, but his father was a lover of literature and culture. –He made sure that his children were well developed in the area of culture.

3. Early Life (cont.) William Cullen Bryant took a strong interest in the literary arts like his father. William Cullen Bryant took a strong interest in the literary arts like his father. He was also interested in politics and human rights. He was also interested in politics and human rights.

4. Literary Career Bryant begins recording his talents as a poet very early on in his life: Bryant begins recording his talents as a poet very early on in his life: –He wrote his first poem when he was 10 years old. –His submitted his poems to the local newspaper, and they were readily published. –In his early career he used politics as the subject for most of his works.

5. Literary Career (cont.) Bryant kept a notebook of poetry in his room when he was a teenager. Bryant kept a notebook of poetry in his room when he was a teenager. –When it came time for him to be educated at a post- secondary level, Bryant’s father informed him that he was not able to pay the tuition. (Bryant was accepted to Yale.) –So, Bryant was encouraged by his father to enter the law field. He interned under a prominent lawyer in Massachusetts. –Though he passes the bar exam, he hates being a lawyer.

6. Literary Career (cont.) Bryant’s father finds the notebook of poems written by Bryant and helps to get them published: Bryant’s father finds the notebook of poems written by Bryant and helps to get them published: –Literary critics are amazed at the technique and style of Bryant’s poetry. –They could not believe that these poems were written by a 13-18 year old young man. –The poems gain popularity both in America and abroad.

7. Literary Accomplishments Bryant is the first poet to rival the poets of Great Britain. Bryant is the first poet to rival the poets of Great Britain. His poem “Thanatopsis” is often pointed to as the most philisophically advanced view of life and death that has ever been published. His poem “Thanatopsis” is often pointed to as the most philisophically advanced view of life and death that has ever been published. Bryant is a naturalist. His poems are focused on life themes and on natural themes. Bryant is a naturalist. His poems are focused on life themes and on natural themes. He takes the job as the editor of the New York Review, and later moved into the editorial management of The Evening Post magazine. He takes the job as the editor of the New York Review, and later moved into the editorial management of The Evening Post magazine.

8. Later Life Bryant’s literary technique is so respected by literary greats that he is frequently called upon to deliver public tributes to the memory of other great Americans. Bryant’s literary technique is so respected by literary greats that he is frequently called upon to deliver public tributes to the memory of other great Americans. Like most writers of the time period, Bryant leaves the U.S. to travel Europe. Here, he continues to write poetry and to work as an ambassador for the United States. Like most writers of the time period, Bryant leaves the U.S. to travel Europe. Here, he continues to write poetry and to work as an ambassador for the United States.