William Pinkney Fishback by James Whitcomb Riley
The poem is a tribute to William Pinkney Fishback, a Civil War veteran and politician from Indiana. It portrays him as a strong leader who has overcome adversity and achieved success through his determination and character. The speaker praises Fishback's integrity, courage, and commitment to public service, highlighting his role in shaping the state of Indiana during its formative years.
By James Whitcomb Riley · First published 1883 · Genre: Poetry, Biographical, Inspirational · 448 words
First lines
Say first he loved the dear home-hearts, and then / He loved his honest fellow citizen -- / He loved and honored him, in any post / Of duty where he served mankind the most.
All that he asked of him in humblest need / Was but to find him striving to succeed; / All that he asked of him in highest place / Was justice to the lowliest of his race.
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Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form with rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetry.
- Biographical — The content reflects on the life and character of an individual, suggesting a biographical element.
- Inspirational — Themes of admiration, justice, and intellectual pursuit provide an uplifting and motivational tone.
- Philosophical — The text explores themes of justice, duty, and intellectual fulfillment, indicative of philosophical inquiry.
Tags
Biography · Poetry · American Literature · 19th Century · Autobiographical · Memoir · Historical Figure · Politician · Lawyer · Indiana History · Local Color · Regionalism
What this Textopian page supports
William Pinkney Fishback is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Whitcomb Riley, dated 1883 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Whitcomb Riley
- Date: 1883 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Biographical, Inspirational, Philosophical, Historical
- Length: 448 words
- Structure: 1 section, 9 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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