William William Cullen Cullen BryantBryant

1794 - 18781794 - 1878

Father of America PoetryFather of America Poetry11stst published poem came out when he was published poem came out when he was

only 10 years oldonly 10 years oldAt 17, he wrote the 1At 17, he wrote the 1stst version of his most version of his most

famous poem, “Thanatopsis” – an elegyfamous poem, “Thanatopsis” – an elegyA naturalist who viewed nature asA naturalist who viewed nature as

– A reflection of the human spiritA reflection of the human spirit– A source of moral lessonsA source of moral lessons– A means of exploring the imaginationA means of exploring the imagination