The Best Loved Poems of James Whitcomb Riley

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The Best Loved Poems of James Whitcomb Riley

by James Whitcomb Riley

4.29 of 5 stars 4.29 · rating details · 21 ratings · 4 reviews

Hardcover, 187 pages

Published 2000 by Grosset & Dunlap (first published January 1934)

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Sep 25, 2012 Kathy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: classics, books-from-my-childhood

As an Indiana girl, I grew up with James Whitcomb Riley, especially growing up just outside the small town of Rennselaer which is featured in one of Riley's best known poems, 'Little Cousin Jasper'. James Whitcomb Riley has the amazing ability to catch the essence of what it was and is like to grow up in the Hoosier State, especially in small towns and rural areas. The world he describes from a century ago or more still exist today. The focus on the beauty of nature is still a large part of an I...more

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Jul 21, 2012 Marilyn rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a favorite growing up in Indiana...a beloved Aunt and favorite teacher both used to read these poems to me. When I was a young child, my aunt gave me my copy of the book ~ which I still own.

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Aug 10, 2012 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: children-s-literature, poetry

Beautifully illustrated. I have the 1920 edition. Timeless.

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Dec 19, 2007 flossie added it

Shelves: poetry

I have always loved "The Raggedy Man" and "Little Orphan Annie".

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Apr 23, 2013 Jesse Poe added it

Jan 08, 2013 Sarah marked it as to-read

Nov 24, 2012 Mary rated it 4 of 5 stars

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Nov 02, 2012 Gretchen Jones rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

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Sep 21, 2012 Kirs Hall rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jul 02, 2012 John Payne rated it 5 of 5 stars

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Shelves: books-i-own

May 20, 2012 Wanda rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mar 20, 2012 Becky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Dec 31, 2011 Carla rated it 3 of 5 stars

Dec 01, 2011 Jayme Schneider marked it as to-read

Shelves: poetry, literary-references

Nov 13, 2011 Wendy marked it as to-read

Oct 19, 2011 Jane rated it 3 of 5 stars

Sep 30, 2011 Nancy Knotts rated it 5 of 5 stars

Dec 23, 2010 Jamy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Aug 15, 2010 Annie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: poetry

Aug 03, 2010 Jami Havens rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 22, 2010 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: poetry

Apr 19, 2010 Hal Johnson rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: poetry, c19, 1930s

Mar 08, 2009 Dean Baker rated it 3 of 5 stars

Aug 05, 2008 Stanley rated it 5 of 5 stars

Dec 19, 2007 Granny rated it 3 of 5 stars

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About James Whitcomb Riley

James Whitcomb Riley was born on October 7, 1849, in Greenfield, Indiana, to local attorney Reuben A. Riley and his wife, Elizabeth (Marine) Riley, in a small cabin. His parents named him after James Whitcomb, the governor of Indiana. Riley was influenced by many of the visitors to his father's home. In particular, he was able to pick up the cadence and character of the dialect of central Indiana...more James Whitcomb Riley was born on October 7, 1849, in Greenfield, Indiana, to local attorney Reuben A. Riley and his wife, Elizabeth (Marine) Riley, in a small cabin. His parents named him after James Whitcomb, the governor of Indiana. Riley was influenced by many of the visitors to his father's home. In particular, he was able to pick up the cadence and character of the dialect of central Indiana and the travelers along the old National Road, which came through in the many poems he went on to write.

One particular visitor was Mary Alice Smith, who eventually stayed on to live with the Rileys. Mary Alice ("Allie") Smith influenced Riley's poem, Little Orphant Annie, which was originally to be called Little Orphant Allie but a typesetter's error changed the name of the poem.[3]

Riley was never a great student. Before he dropped out of school at age 16, a former teacher encouraged him to appreciate nature. He attempted to study law in his father's law office, however he found that the law was not for him, whereupon he took several different jobs in rapid succession.

Riley had his first poem published in 1870 when he was 21. He began writing for several newspapers, eventually working for the Indianapolis Journal in Indianapolis, Indiana writing miscellaneous articles, versifying whenever possible.

Riley's big break came with the private publishing of a thousand copies of The Old Swimmin' Hole and 'Leven More Poems in 1883 under the pseudonym of "Benjamin F. Johnson, of Boone". The book rapidly sold all of the first printing, causing Indianapolis book publisher Merrill, Meigs and Company to quickly contract with Riley to publish the second edition of The Old Swimmin' Hole and 'Leven More Poems. Riley continued to work with the publishing company which eventually became Bowen-Merrill and finally Bobbs-Merrill. The 1886 publishing The Boss Girl began to publish new Riley literature regularly. As a result he began to tour the United States giving lectures, starting in the mid-1880s.

In 1893 he was invited to live at the residence of Charles and Magdalena Holstein within the Indianapolis neighborhood of Lockerbie. He would call this his permanent residence for the last 23 years of his life, although he eventually purchased his childhood home, and allowed his brother, John Riley, to live there.

He was in demand throughout his life, including being a guest at the White House. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. In 1912 the National Institute of Arts and Letters gave him the gold medal of poetry, the first poet so honored. He also received several honorary degrees.

Riley loved children, but he never had any of his own; he also never married. Evidence points that he regretted his bachelorhood and childlessness. Many believe that his poems about and for children were written due to this regret. Others attribute his poems to his regrets over alcoholism and his possible affliction with syphilis.

Indiana honored Riley after his death in 1916 by burying him in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis. The site of his grave is atop Strawberry Hill, the highest point in Indianapolis, offering a spectacular view of the city. Although Riley's poetry has fallen out of popularity, a few of his poems, such as Little Orphant Annie and Lockerbie Street, continue to be taught in schools in Indiana.

In 1916 a group of prominent citizens from Indianapolis organized the Riley Memorial Association (now the Riley Children's Foundation) to build a children's hospital in memory of the Hoosier Poet. The James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children opened in 1924.

The foundation also purchased the poet's home in his later years in downtown Indianapolis; it is maintained as a museum and today, the James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home is the only late-Victorian home in Indiana that is open to the public, and the country's only late-Victorian preservation, featuring authentic furniture and decor from that era. His birthpla(less)

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