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Northern Travel: Summer and Winter Pictures Of Sweden, Denmark and Lapland
Regarded as one of America's foremost travel writers, a respected poet, and author of what is often called "America's first gay novel," Pennsylvania-born Bayard Taylor set out for a trek across Scandinavia in 1855 with the intention of capturing native life so accurately on paper that readers would liken his prose to photographs. His letters containing the accounts of his journey were published in newspapers then republished under the title Northern Travel: Summer and Winter Pictures. The book was published in London and New York in 1857. From this journey Taylor also got the material for his long, narrative poem "Lars."
- GenresTravel
200 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2006
10 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Bayard Taylor
765 books16 followersBayard Taylor was a poet, literary critic, translator, fiction and travel author.
His interest in poetry was coached by the influential critic and editor Rufus Wilmot Griswold, who encouraged him to write a volume of poetry. Published at Philadelphia in 1844, Ximena, or the Battle of the Sierra Morena, and other Poems was dedicated to Griswold. It made little income, but indirectly was a means of his introduction to The New York Tribune.
With the money from his poetry and an advance for some journalistic work to be done in Europe, Taylor set sail for Europe. The young poet spent a happy time in roaming on foot through certain districts of England, France, Germany and Italy; this tour of almost two years cost him only £100. The accounts which he sent from Europe to The New York Tribune, The Saturday Evening Post, and The United States Gazette were so highly appreciated that on Taylor's return to America, he was advised to compile his articles into book form.
In 1846, he published Views Afoot, or Europe seen with Knapsack and Staff (2 vols, New York). This book's success brought Taylor recognition as an author. He was asked to serve as an editorial assistant for Graham's Magazine for a few months in 1848. That same year, Horace Greeley, then editor of the Tribune, placed Taylor on his staff, thus securing Taylor a certain if moderate income.
His poem "Greetings to America" was set to music by Julius Benedict and performed by the singer at numerous concerts on her tour of the United States.
His interest in poetry was coached by the influential critic and editor Rufus Wilmot Griswold, who encouraged him to write a volume of poetry. Published at Philadelphia in 1844, Ximena, or the Battle of the Sierra Morena, and other Poems was dedicated to Griswold. It made little income, but indirectly was a means of his introduction to The New York Tribune.
With the money from his poetry and an advance for some journalistic work to be done in Europe, Taylor set sail for Europe. The young poet spent a happy time in roaming on foot through certain districts of England, France, Germany and Italy; this tour of almost two years cost him only £100. The accounts which he sent from Europe to The New York Tribune, The Saturday Evening Post, and The United States Gazette were so highly appreciated that on Taylor's return to America, he was advised to compile his articles into book form.
In 1846, he published Views Afoot, or Europe seen with Knapsack and Staff (2 vols, New York). This book's success brought Taylor recognition as an author. He was asked to serve as an editorial assistant for Graham's Magazine for a few months in 1848. That same year, Horace Greeley, then editor of the Tribune, placed Taylor on his staff, thus securing Taylor a certain if moderate income.
His poem "Greetings to America" was set to music by Julius Benedict and performed by the singer at numerous concerts on her tour of the United States.
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August 4, 2011
Very vivid descriptions of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland/Lapland - both scenery and people. A bit long for a travelogue where there's not much action, but the stunning scenery makes up for it. Taylor's stated purpose is to make "sketches" and that he does. His prose is astoundingly visual.
Displaying 1 of 1 review