Taneya Knowles Tia Keitt

1. Taneya KnowlesTia Keitt Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

2. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. • Born: August 29, 1890 • Died: October 7, 1894 • His professions was as an American physician, professor, lecturer, and author. • Considered by his peers as one of the best poets of the 19th century • Fireside poet

3. Early life • Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts • 1st son of his father, Abiel Holmes -his mother was Sarah Wendell (his fathers 2nd wife) • He adored reading books from his fathers library -being exposed to such great writers, Holmes slowly began composing and reciting his own pieces • 1st recorded poem was at the age of 13

4. Education • His father sent him to the Philips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts at age 15 hoping he would follow in his footsteps and become a minister. • Accepted to Harvard after 16th birthday • Joined the “Aristocrats” and “Puffmaniacs” instead of playing sports • Studied various languages and was 1 of 20 awarded the scholastic honor Deturs

5. Poetic Beginnings • In 1830 he was disappointed by his law studies, so he began writing poetry for his own amusement -Before the end of the year he had over 50 poems • Four of these poems would ultimately become among his best-known: - “The Dorchester Giant” - “Reflections of a Proud Pedestrian” - “Evening/ by a Tailor” - “The Height of the Ridiculous”

6. After graduation, Holmes quickly became a fixture in the local medical scene by joining the Massachusetts Medical Society, the Boston Medical Society, and the Boston Society for Medical Improvement.

7. Poetry • Among the 1st Americans to build substantial popularity in Europe • Believed poetry had “the power of transfiguring the experiences and shows of life imagination and kindles that of others.” • The Poet at the Breakfast-Table was published in 1872. • Published a biography on John Lothrop Motley in 1876. • The following year he published a collection of his medical essays and Pages for an Old Volume of Life. • Retired from Harvard Medical School in 1882 after 35 years as a professor • The university made him professor emeritus after he gave his last lecture

8. Death • Suffering from exhaustion, and mourning the sudden death of his youngest son, Holmes began postponing his writing and social engagements. • Met in Great Britain with writers and was awarded a doctor of letters degree (D.Litt) from Cambridge University, a doctor of laws (LL.D.) from Edinburgh University, and a 3rd honorary degree from Oxford. • Upon his return to the U.S. with his daughter Amelia, Holmes published a travelogue entitled Our One Hundred Days in Europe. • His last public appearance was at a reception for the National Education Association in Boston on February 23, 1893, where he presented the poem "To the Teachers of America". • Died peacefully in his sleep in the afternoon of October 7, 1894. • His son Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. wrote, "His death was as peaceful as one could wish for those one loves. He simply ceased to breathe.

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