Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-12
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.

" 6,
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL DEAD.
Americas Foremost Scholar, Poet and Es-
sayist Passes Away.
BosroN, August 12.-Hon. James Russell
Lowell died at his home in Cambridge at 2:10
this morning from liver complaint
Mr.. Lowell himself never inquired as to the
nature of his.malady. From inquiries it was
ascertained that an old enemy of his, the gout,
has afflicted him almost constantly OF late, and
that sciatica, hemorrhage and latterly severe
type of liver disease have in turn affected him.
Mr.. Lowelrs health has been impaired ever
since his return to this country in 1885, after
concluding his diplomatic services OF eight
years, three years at Madrid and five at
the court Of st. James. The death OF his wife
in the midst of his social and diplomatic sue
cess in London as the representative or this
health, which was even then becoming broken.
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL
Jas. Russell Lowell was born in Cambridge.
the Rev. Chas Lowell, and was the hereditary
representative of the heart and brains that
founded New England. He was the youngest
Of five children. His birthplace was the old
Tory mansion, now called Elmwood. large,
three-story, square wooden house of the early
colonial style. surrounded by magnificent elms
and pines, with an outlook on the Charles
river. Young Lowell was fitted for col
lege by VIM. Wells, later the publisher of
classics, and entered Harvard in his sixteenth
year, and was graduated in 1888. His first
published literary production, outside OF some
poems, for "Harvardiana." was his notable
class poem. In the Harvard law school Lowell
received the degree Of Ii. B., and was admitted
to the bar in 1840. The only record Of the
practice Of his profession is found in story
entitled my First Client" published in the
Boston Miscellany. Henceforth he gave him
self entirely to literature.
In 1S41 volume Of poems, written under
the influence Of affection for woman OF genius
who became his wife, was published under the
title of "a Years Life" His marriage to the
woman who inspired these poems took place in
1874. She was an ardent abolitionist, and
doubtless her influence aided in turning his
thoughts to the serious side of that cause, to
which he rendered immortal service.
Lowell was not only a poet, a scholar,
humorist, but q conservative and critic. His
radicalism was always conservative, his crlti-
oism always constructive.
Lowell and his wife contributed regularly to
the Liberty Bell" and in 1S4S he was corre-
spending editor of the "Anti-Slavery Stand
ard" From 1s4S to ls46 his poems appeared
mostly in the latter publication. The Boston
in its columns appeared the 'Bigelow Papers,"
which began in June, 1846.
This satire was An event Of the first import
ance in the history of the worlds literature.
In wit, scholarship and penetrating knowledge
of human nature it took the place, which it
has since maintained, of q masterpiece. 1t is
a recognized classic, both in England and
America. 1t consisted of series of
poems in the Yankee dialect, ostensibly
by 'Mr. Hosea Bigelow" and edited
by Homer WILDER, A. NJ, pastor of the first
church in Jaalam and prospective member of
In the main it was q satire on slavery and the
Mexican war, but there was scarcely any cant,
hypocrisy or meanness in politics, the pulpit
and the press that was not hit by it.
In 1843 he undertook the editing Of the
Pioneer, literary and critical magazine. in
joint editorship with Robert Carter and Poe.
Hawthorne, Neal Dwight, Jones, Very, Parsons,
Elizabeth Barrett, Whittier and William W.
Story were contributors. Only three numbers
were published, the venture being a financial
failure: In 1874 he published volume of verses:
In 1S45 appeared THE Vision Of Sir Launfai,"
one of the most exquisite productions Of his
genius q poem founded on the legend of the
Holy Grail, which is said to have been COM
posed in a sort Of frenzy in about forty-eight
hours, during which he scarcely ate or slept.
The conversations on the Poets was Low
ellis first work in literary criticism and was the
basis of his lectures before the Lowell Insti-
tute, 1884, and Of his lectures before Harvard
University during his professorship of modern
languages and bellies lettres.
Up to 1851, when he made Q European trip
with his wife, he continued to publish essays
and poems, increasing his reputation al the
time.
In January, 1855, he was appointed LonRfel-
lows successor in Harvard as professor of mod
srn languages and bellies lettres. He WI ote
number Of essays for the Atlantic up to 1862
an in \ adj Cf
American Review.
The volumes of prose, "Among Nv Books~
and my Study Windows," appeared in 1s7o
and composed the choicest Of his literary
essays
Mr.. Lowelrs first appearance in politics was
- . presidential elector in 1876. In 1877 he
was appointed to the Spanish mission and in
1880 transferred to the court of st. James his
diplomatic career closing in 1885, In Madrid
he lived in an atmosphere congenial to
him as student and sustained the honor
Of the American name, and received
the confidence and admiration that
had been formerly extended to Washington
Irving. In London he bore himself with tact
and dignity, mindful always that his mission
was to maintain cordial amity instead of seek
ing causes Of alienation. And no man in our
generation did more than Lowell to rafse Amer
loan institutions and American character in
the estimation Of our English kin.
Since his return to private life Mr.. Lowelrs
home was with his only child, the wife Of
Edward Burnett. at Southboro Mass. He re-
sumed his lectures ct Cambridge and in the
winter Of 1887 gave . course ON the English
dramatists before the Lowell Institute. The
degree Of DOL. was conferred ON him by the
University Of Oxford in 1873 and that Of LID.
by the University Of Cambridge in
1874 During his residence in Eng
land he was elected rector Of the
University Of st. Andrew Since his return
from the English mission Lowell put out his
latest work, Democracy and Other Addresses"
q collection Of his more important occasional
addresses in England. He spent most of his
declining years with his daughter, Mrs. Bur-
nett, and with his grandchildren, whom he
adored. Here he made his Last literary work.
Almost to the last he was . hard though erratic
worker. He had not been seen 20 often in 90
ciety Of late years ~ formerly, but mp to Ave
years ego he seemed in robut health.