Riley, James Whitcomb

Born October 7, 1849 in Greenfield, Indiana, was the third of six children Reuben Andrew Riley and his wife Elizabeth Marine . His father was a lawyer, and over the year of his birth, James was elected to the Indiana Democratic House of Representatives . He had a friendship with , the Governor of Indiana, in whose honor he named his son. The boy's uncle, Martin Riley, was an amateur poet who sometimes wrote poetry for local newspapers; he influenced the nephew's early interest in poetry.

Shortly after Riley was born, the enlarged family moved to a larger house in Greenfield. In 1852 he was sent to study at a local community school, where James loved his last teacher, Lee O. Harris , who noticed a student's interest in poetry and reading, urging him to develop it. James went to school intermittently and did not finish the eighth grade until 1869, when he was twenty years old. He lived in his parents' house until he was twenty-one years old.

During the American Civil War, James's father enlisted in the Union Army , leaving his wife to run the house. When James was ten years old, the first library opened in his city; he began to visit her and from an early age the boy developed a love of literature. Together with their friends, they spent time in the library, where the librarian read them stories and poems.

With the help of his mother, James began to create plays and plays that he and his friends staged at a local grocery store. When he got older, the guys named their troupe Adelphians and began performing in large utility rooms, gathering a wider audience. He described this period of time in his early poems, where he called himself “Jamesy” . Many of James's first poems were accompanied by musical references. Without a musical background, he studied guitar with his father and his violin with a friend. He performed in two local musical groups and played the violin so well that he was invited to play with an adult group of musicians Freemasons .

Riley's father returned from the war partially paralyzed, he could not continue his work, and soon the family was in a difficult financial situation. The war had a negative psychological effect on him; his relationship with his family quickly deteriorated. He opposed his son's interest in poetry, urging him to find another job. The family became poor, they were forced in April 1870 to sell the house and return to their rural farm. Mother was able to maintain peace in the family, but soon died of a heart disease, in which James blamed his father, an incapable father to take care of her in the last months of his life. After 1870, James became addicted to alcohol - he fought this habit for the rest of his life.

In November 1870, he left Greenfield. He worked as a Bible salesman in the neighboring town of Rushville , Indiana. Having somewhat provided for himself, he returned to Greenfield, where in March 1871 he began to study as an artist. He opened his business in Greenfield, creating signs and signs. Then he began to write poems that he mailed to his brother, who lives in Indianapolis , who, as his agent, offered them to Indianapolis Mirror . In July 1872, Riley went into sales from McCrillus , an Anderson , Indiana-based company that distributed drugs at traveling exhibitions throughout the state. He again began sending poetry to his brother in February 1873. At the same time he worked in an enterprise engaged in advertising on buildings. In early 1874, he returned to Greenfield, taking up full-time writing. Collaborated with the Danbury News , Connecticut newspaper, regularly sending his poems to the editor. But after the newspaper closed in 1875, it was left without a paid publisher. In August 1875, he again engaged in the sale of drugs from the Wizard Oil Company .

At the end of 1875, Riley began to send his poems to the famous American poet Henry Longfellow , seeking his approval in order to begin his career as a poet. He also sent similar letters to and several other distinguished writers asking for approval. Started sending poetry to many newspapers including the Indianapolis Journal , the main metropolitan Republican newspaper in Indiana. In February 1877, he was offered a job as a reporter in the Indianapolis Journal . He also regularly sent his work to other newspapers, including Anderson Democrat . At this time, Riley met in Anderson with Edora Mysers , but never married. The following years were difficult, James Riley was fired from the newspaper and returned to Greenfield to focus on poetry. Here he met Clara Louise Bottsford , a former teacher in her father's house. Having discovered much in common, especially a love of literature, they met over the next twelve years, experiencing breaks associated with James' alcohol addiction.

Riley's financial situation did not improve despite the fact that he sent his poems to famous literary magazines, including Scribner's Monthly . In January 1878, he joined a traveling lecture group where he could read his poetic works, receiving some reward for this. In August 1878, he worked with Indiana Governor James Williams as a speaker at civic events, reading his poems. At this time, he published his only play, “Flying Islands of the Night,” which received positive reviews. After that, in November 1879, he received the position of observer in the Indianapolis Journal . This activity contributed to his acquaintance with , an American novelist with whom he began to make friends.

By 1880, James Riley's poems began to be published nationally and received positive reviews. Without stopping the use of alcohol, at the insistence of Maurice Thompson, he again tried to quit this habit, but was able to survive only a few months. After moving to Indianapolis at the end of 1879, he continued to work with the Indianapolis Journal , led his own column, and began to make friends with the politician Eugene Debs . He used the pseudonym “Jay Whit” for some time, renewed relations with Claire Botsford, but their relationship remained unstable. Botsford wanted to marry him, but Riley refused. Continuing tours of his performances in Indiana, in August 1880 he was invited to Asbury University in Kentucky , where he found influential acquaintances and patrons. After gaining success in the Midwest, he was invited to tour the east coast of the United States, starting in February 1882 with Boston . In Massachusetts, he personally met with Longfellow, writing about her after his death. Longfellow encouraged Riley to focus on poetry, giving some useful tips. The Century Magazine began to publish his works. Merrill, Meigs & Company (later renamed the Bobbs-Merrill Company ) published his first book in 1883, the popularity of which required a reprint.

The income from the book allowed Riley to move away from the busy schedule. He began to write less, but better. He again resumed relations with Botsford in 1883, which finally ended in early 1885, when Claire became convinced of James's connections with other women. In 1884, Riley made another tour of performances in major cities in the eastern United States, after which he began to prepare for publication a second book of poetry. While working on the book, he was unexpectedly invited by , an agent of many lecturers, to join the show of one hundred nights in New York, which included many famous writers. However, this statement did not take place due to inconsistency of the contract with the Redpath Bureau .

James Whitcomb Riley co-founded the Western Association of Writers . Together with Lew Wallace , he attracted many other writers to participate in it, the number of which in 1885 reached more than a hundred people. At a meeting in July this year, they held their first meeting, where Maurice Thompson was named president and Riley was appointed vice president. Through the association, Riley met most of the famous writers in the Midwestern United States. In October 1887, the association, along with other writers, asked the US Congress to try to discuss international treaties for the protection of American copyright abroad. This group of writers became known as the International Copyright League and was a significant success in their efforts. During one of the league's meetings in New York , Riley was struck by Bell's paralysis . He recovered after three weeks and retired to hide the consequences of the disease, which, in his opinion, were caused by alcohol dependence. Riley made another attempt to stop drinking alcohol, but soon returned to her again. After recovering, the writer stayed briefly in New York to participate in a show with other writers at the Chickering Hall , where he was introduced by James Lowell before his performance. Riley's poetry was supported by The New York Sun. The glory of the poet began to come to him.

Returning home from his tour in early 1888, Riley finished his third book, Old-Fashioned Roses , which became his favorite. It was addressed to the British reader and published in the prestigious Longman Publishing House with high quality printing and binding. At the end of 1888, he finished work on his fourth book, Pipes o 'Pan at Zekesbury, which was published in the United States and well received. Riley quickly grew rich, earning nearly $ 20,000 in 1888. He no longer needed the work in newspapers and magazines, which he left at the end of the same year.

In March 1888, Riley traveled to Washington, DC, where he had lunch at the invitation of President Grover Cleveland at the White House with other members of the International Copyright League . At this event, Riley made a report that the president liked and he invited the poet to a private meeting, during which two men discussed cultural topics. In the same year, during a presidential election campaign, Riley's acquaintance, Benjamin Harrison, was nominated as a Republican candidate. Although avoiding politics for most of his life, he personally supported Harrison and participated in fundraising activities for his campaign. In Indiana, the campaign was very biased and James Rally vowed never to interfere in politics again. After Harrison was elected President of the United States , he proposed to award Riley the title of US poet and laureate , but Congress did not support his candidacy. Despite this, James continued to be friends with Harrison and visited him several times in the White House, speaking at civil events.

In 1888 and 1889, Riley took part in two national tours. However, due to financial disagreements in November 1889, he canceled several appearances and fell into alcoholism again. As a result of legal litigation, a wave of press broke out against Riley and he left for Indianapolis. He was sued, but as a result, Riley terminated his performance contract and became a free agent.

Riley's poetry has become famous and popular in Britain. In May 1891, he went to England to take a tour of the country, calling it a literary pilgrimage. He came to Liverpool , then went to Dumfries , Scotland , where Robert Burns was buried. After that, he visited Edinburgh , York and London . organized meetings with famous British actors in London for him. Here he was well received by the literary and theatrical community, examined places associated with Shakespeare. Bored at home, did not finish his trip and returned to the United States. By this time, James Riley had created and published almost all of his famous poetic works, which were generally well received by the public.

Although Riley had already become rich at the expense of his books, he was able to significantly increase his fortune due to the continued literary readings (tours). The venues of his performances were geographically diverse enough to maintain popularity in all regions of the country. He began to perform only four times a week, and conducted tours lasting only three months. In 1893, he gave lectures and his works in the western states, in 1894 - in the eastern states of the USA. In 1894, he performed with , a journalist , poet, and millionaire. In 1895, James Riley made his last tour, making stops in most major cities in the United States. By announcing this tour as his final performance, he created an incredible demand for tickets - this was his biggest audience ever.

After the death of his father in 1894, Riley regretted his choice not to marry and not have children. To compensate for the lack of his own children, he became a loving uncle, showering with gifts from his nieces and nephews. He bought the house of his childhood and from 1893 allowed his sisters and their children to live in it. He hired his nephew Edmund Eital as a personal secretary and in 1912 gave him $ 50,000 for his wedding. The writer himself from 1893 returned to live under Indianapolis in a private house in the Lockerbie area. He was friends with the families of his homeowners, and his house became a favorite place for local schoolchildren, whom Riley regularly recited poems and told stories. He began to collect poetry most interesting for children for his new book , Rhymes of Childhood . It was richly illustrated by Howard Christie and became Riley's best-selling book, sold in a million copies.

Sickness and death

In 1901, Riley was diagnosed with neurasthenia and recommended long periods of rest as a medicine. He suffered from it for the rest of his life. He spent the winter months in Miami , Florida , and spent the summer with his family in Greenfield. He made only a few trips during the last years of his life, including once to Mexico in 1906. The poet was depressed by his condition, wrote to his friends that he could die at any time and often drank alcohol to relieve it. In March 1909, he was struck a second time with Bell's paralysis, receiving partial deafness. On July 10, 1910, he suffered a stroke that paralyzed the right side of his body. Riley could not work with his right hand, which served as his further oppression. By 1913, with the help of a cane, the writer began to restore his ability to walk.

Died July 22, 1916 in Indianapolis, Indiana, as a result of a second stroke. He was buried with great honors at the Crown Hill Cemetery city ​​cemetery. ^[one]

During the year after the death of James Whitcomb, Riley created many memorials in his honor, including several memorial associations. In 1924, the Riley Children's Hospital was created by a group of wealthy benefactors. In subsequent years, other memorials were created for children, including Camp Riley for youth with disabilities. The Memorial Fund acquired the home of the poet Lockerbie and currently supports it as a museum. His native home, currently James Whitcomb Riley House , has been preserved as a historic site. The Liberty class transport ship, put into operation on April 23, 1942, named after him - SS James Whitcomb Riley , lasted until 1971. Many American schools were named after the great poet. In 1940, the U.S. Postal Service issued a 10-cent stamp in his honor.

Having earned credibility through his poetry tours, James Riley became a regular speaker at Memorial Days and performed poetry before the opening of monuments in Washington. Газеты стали называть его «Национальным поэтом», «Поэтом — лауреатом Америки» и «Народным поэтом-лауреатом». Он создал многие стихи на патриотическую тему; его поэма «America, Messiah of Nations» была написана и прочитана при открытии памятника Монумент солдатам и морякам в Индианаполисе .

В 1897 году издатели предложили Райли выпустить многотомную серию книг, содержащую его полные прижизненные работы. Он начал эту работу с помощью своего племянника и в конечном итоге она завершилась 16-томным изданием в 1914 году. Такие издания при жизни писателей были редкостью и свидетельствуют о незаурядной популярности Райли. Некоторые университеты начали предлагать ему почетные степени. Первым был Йельский университет в 1902 году, в 1904 году докторскую степень по литературе ( Doctor of Letters ) присвоил Пенсильванский университет . Wabash College и Индианский университет удостоили его подобных наград. В 1908 году Джеймс Уиткомб Райли был избран членом Американской академии искусств и литературы , а в 1912 году она вручили ему специальную медаль за его поэзию. В этом же году губернатор Индианы учредил «День Райли» в день рождения поэта. В школах штата читались его тихи Райли своим детям, торжественные мероприятия проводились по всей Индиане. В 1915 и 1916 годах празднование дня его рождения было национальным праздником в большинстве Америки; этот ежегодный праздник в Индиане продолжался до 1968 года.

Джеймс Райли стал образом для трех картин Теодора Стила . Ассоциация искусств Индианаполиса заказала портрет Райли, который был создан известным художником Джоном Сарджентом .

• Память
•  

  Портрет работы Джона Сарджента , 1903 год

•  

  Почтовая марка США, 1940 год

•  

  Monument to the work of Myra Richards , 1918

James Whitcomb Riley is credited with authorship of the following phrase: ^{[2] [3]}

When I see a bird that walks like a duck, swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call this bird a duck.

Original text

When I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck.

• James Whitcomb Riley of The the Digital Collection (Eng.)
• Whitcomb Riley Recordings james (Eng.)
• To the Riley Guide Review the Collections AT the Lilly Library then (Eng.)