The Quiet Radical – The Biography of Samuel Longfellow

Most people have not heard of Samuel Longfellow, and those who recognize his name know him as the youngest brother of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The few that are familiar with Samuel Longfellow know that he was much more than his brother’s secretary. In fact, he was an important personality during the 19th century and was a great influence on some of the leaders of social and religious movements during the mid-19th century who listened carefully to his serene, well-considered opinions. Samuel Longfellow was a noteworthy personality during the 19th century, but he did not believe in speaking about himself and what he had done. Because of his quiet character he blended into the background while others took center stage.