Poet, Abolitionist. He is recognized as a 19th century American poet, who played an important role as a poet in the literary world, as a politician, and as a moral force. For financial reasons, he received little formal education as a young boy, attending less than a year at the Haverhill Academy, but was an avid reader and as a teen, after being introduced to the works of the Scottish poet, Robert Burns, developed a great desire to write. In 1826, his first poems were published in the "Newburyport Free Press," which was owned by the abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison. His lifelong friendship with Garrison would help him develop his strong anti-slavery views. The young poet's first two published books, "Legends of New England" in 1831 and "Moll Pitcher" in 1832, received acclaim for their description of life in rural America. He became more public in his abolitionist views when in 1833 he published the pamphlet "Justice and Expediency," which attacked the Colonization Society, a group wanting to send all Blacks, enslaved and free, back to Africa. The next year he attended an anti-slavery convention and in 1835 held a seat in the Massachusetts State Legislature. In 1842 he was a candidate for United States Congress on the Liberty ticket, but lost the election, hence realizing he would not have a political career. By 1854, he was credited with being one of the founders of the Republican Party. Although ill health often kept him homebound, he continued to fight against slavery through his poems and essays. From 1847 to 1859, he was corresponding editor for "The National Era", a Washington anti-slavery paper. After the American Civil War, he rededicated his time to writing poetry. His most famous poem, "Snow-Bound" was written in 1866. "The Tent on the Beach and Other Poems," which followed in 1867, continued the success and with 20,000 copies being sold in three weeks, his name became known in every American household. He wrote many famous ballads, including "The Barefoot Boy" and "Skipper Ireson's Ride" and over one hundred hymns, the most famous being "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind." He continued to write until shortly before his death. Whittier's last book of poems, "At Sundown," was privately printed in 1890 for close friends, and was republished for the public, with additions, at about the time of the poet's death on September 7, 1892. Known as America's "Quaker Poet," his impact on America through his writings and anti-slavery efforts is still evident today. He published at least 25 collections of poetry or other writings. In the honor of John Greenleaf Whittier, Whittier College in Whittier, California was named. The classic New England farmhouse in Amesbury, which was his home during his active years of being an author, is today a museum. The National Historic Landmark retains the decor and structure of the home as Whittier and his family knew during the 1800s.