Tess and Brock get to know Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow, the so-called hometown poet of Portland, ME. To find out whether Longfellow’s fame is justified, Tess and Brock head down to the Wadsworth-Longfellow house in the center of town. Longfellow wrote his first poem and other works in the house, but the house doesn’t just honor him but the whole Longfellow family.

Tess and Brock also talk with Ari Gersen, the owner of Longfellow Books in Portland, and ask what the “aura” of the name does for the shop. Does having a great poet’s name on the door help sell any books?

Mentioned:

• “The Battle of Lowell Pond” by Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow
• “The Rainy Day” by Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow
• “A Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow
• “The Courtship of Miles Standish” by Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow
• “The Song of Hiawatha” by Henry Wadsworth-Longfellow
• Longfellow Books

The house:

• Wadsworth-Longfellow house in Portland, ME

Tess Chakkalakal is the creator, executive producer and host of Dead Writers. Brock Clarke is our writer and co-host.

Lisa Bartfai is the managing producer and executive editor. Our music is composed by Cedric Wilson, who also mixes the show. Ella Jones is our web editorial intern, and Mark Hoffman created our logo. A special thanks to our reader Aidan Sheeran-Hahnel.

This episode was produced with the generous support of our sponsors Bath Savings and listeners like you.