John Clark Ridpath by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem is a tribute to John Clark Ridpath, an American historian and educator. It portrays him as a man of great character and intellect, who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of knowledge and the education of others. The speaker praises Ridpath's passion for learning, his dedication to his work, and his ability to inspire others with his words.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1887 · Genre: Poetry, Biography, Tribute · 599 words
First lines
To the lorn ones who loved him first and best, / And knew his dear love at its tenderest, / We seem akin -- we simplest friends who knew / His fellowship, of heart and spirit too:
We who have known the happy summertide / Of his ingenuous nature, glorified / With the inspiring smile that ever lit / The earnest face and kindly strength of it:
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Biography — The content reflects on the life and character of an individual, focusing on personal attributes and achievements.
- Tribute — The text serves as a homage to a respected figure, celebrating their life and contributions.
- Inspirational — The themes emphasize admiration, reverence, and the uplifting qualities of the subject's life.
Tags
Biography · Autobiography · Memoir · American Literature · 19th Century Literature · Indiana History · Local Color · Regionalism · Historical Nonfiction · Personal Narrative · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery
What this Textopian page supports
John Clark Ridpath is listed on Textopian as an essay by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1887 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Essay
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1887 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Biography, Tribute, Inspirational, Historical
- Length: 599 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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