William Ellery Channing
The poem portrays William Ellery Channing's life and legacy, highlighting his role as a Unitarian minister and social reformer. It emphasizes his commitment to reason, morality, and individual freedom. The speaker praises Channing's eloquence, compassion, and dedication to the abolition of slavery. The poem also touches on his relationships with other notable figures of the time, including Ralph Waldo Emerson.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1840 · Genre: Biography, Philosophy, Religious · 218 words
First lines
Read at the dedication of the Channing Memorial Church at Newport, R. I. DANVERS, MASS., 3d Mo., 13, 1880.
I scarcely need say that I yield to no one in love and reverence for the great and good man whose memory, outliving all prejudices of creed, sect, and party, is the common legacy of Christendom. As the years go on, the value of that legacy will be more and more felt; not so much, perhaps, in doctrine as in spirit, in those utterances of a devout soul which are above and beyond the affirmation or negation of dogma.
What this Textopian page supports
William Ellery Channing is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1840 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1840 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Biography, Philosophy, Religious, Historical, Essay
- Length: 218 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for William Ellery Channing by John Greenleaf Whittier
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Biography — The work reflects on the life and legacy of a significant individual, emphasizing personal qualities and contributions.
- Philosophy — It explores themes of ethics, duty, and the spiritual legacy of the subject, engaging with moral and philosophical ideas.
- Religious — The text discusses Christian values and the spiritual impact of the subject's life, highlighting religious themes.
- Historical — It situates the subject within a historical context, reflecting on the broader implications of their life and work.
Tags
Biography · Memoir · American Literature · 19th Century · Nonfiction · Poetry · Religion · Philosophy · Christianity · Unitarianism · New England · History