The Fireside Poets' Circle

The Fireside Poets’ Circle refers to a group of 19th-century American poets—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, James Russell Lowell, and John Greenleaf Whittier—known for their accessible and moralistic poetry. They earned the nickname because families often read their poems aloud by the fireplace, reflecting themes of patriotism, nature, and tradition. Their work helped shape American literary identity during that era, blending literary excellence with popular appeal, and fostering a sense of national pride through their verse.