Later life James Whitcomb Riley

1 later life

1.1 national poet
1.2 declining health
1.3 death , legacy

later life
national poet

riley had become wealthy time ended touring in 1895, , earning $1,000 week. although retired, continued make minor appearances. in 1896, riley performed 4 shows in denver. of performances of later life @ civic celebrations. regular speaker @ decoration day events , delivered poetry before unveiling of monuments in washington, d.c. newspapers began referring him national poet , poet laureate of america , , people s poet laureate . riley wrote many of patriotic poems such events, including soldier , name of old glory , , famous such poem, america! . 1902 poem america, messiah of nations written , read riley dedication of indianapolis soldiers , sailors monument.

the new poetry riley published after end of century elegies famous friends. poetic qualities of poems poor, contained many popular sentiments concerning deceased. among eulogized benjamin harrison, lew wallace, , henry lawton. because of poor quality of poems, friends , publishers requested stop writing them, refused.

in 1897, riley s publishers suggested create multi-volume series of books containing complete life works. of nephew, riley began working compile books, totaled sixteen volumes , completed in 1914. such works uncommon during lives of writers, attesting uncommon popularity riley had achieved.

his works had become staples ivy league literature courses , universities began offering him honorary degrees. first yale in 1902, followed doctorate of letters university of pennsylvania in 1904. wabash college , indiana university granted him similar awards. in 1908 elected member of national institute of arts , letters, , in 1912 conferred upon him special medal poetry.

riley influential in helping other poets start careers, having particularly strong influences on hamlin garland, william allen white, , edgar lee masters. discovered aspiring african american poet paul laurence dunbar in 1892. riley thought dunbar s work worthy of applause , , wrote him letters of recommendation him work published.

declining health

in 1901, riley s doctor diagnosed him neurasthenia, nervous disorder, , recommended long periods of rest cure. riley remained ill rest of life , relied on landlords , family aid in care. during winter months moved miami, florida, , during summer spent time family in greenfield. made few trips during decade, including 1 mexico in 1906. became depressed condition, writing friends thought die @ moment, , used alcohol relief.

in march 1909, riley stricken second time bell s palsy, , partial deafness, symptoms gradually eased on course of year. riley difficult patient, , refused take medicine except patent medicines had sold in earlier years; medicines worsened conditions, doctors not sway opinion. on july 10, 1910 suffered stroke paralyzed right side of body. hoping quick recovery, family kept news press until september. riley found loss of use of writing hand worst part of stroke, served further depress him. health poor, decided work on legacy remembered in indianapolis. in 1911 donated land , funds build new library on pennsylvania avenue. 1913, aid of cane, riley began recover ability walk. inability write, however, ended production of poems. george ade worked him 1910 through 1916 write last 5 poems , several short autobiographical sketches riley dictated. publisher continued recycling old works new books, remained in high demand.

since mid-1880s, riley had been nation s read poet, trend accelerated @ turn of century. in 1912 riley recorded readings of popular poetry sold victor records. riley subject of 3 paintings t. c. steele. indianapolis arts association commissioned portrait of riley created world famous painter john singer sargent. riley s image became nationally known icon , many businesses capitalized on popularity sell products; hoosier poet brand vegetables became major trade-name in midwest.

in 1912, governor of indiana instituted riley day on poet s birthday. schools required teach riley s poems children, , banquet events held in honor around state. in 1915 , 1916 celebration national after being proclaimed in states. annual celebration continued in indiana until 1968. in 1916 riley filmed part of movie celebrate indiana s centennial, video on display @ indiana state library.

death , legacy

statue myra reynolds richards honoring james whitcomb riley on courthouse lawn in greenfield, indiana.

on july 22, 1916, riley suffered second stroke. recovered enough during day speak , joke companions. died before dawn next morning, july 23. riley s death shocked nation , made front page headlines in major newspapers. president woodrow wilson wrote brief note riley s family offering condolences on behalf of entire nation. indiana governor samuel m. ralston offered allow riley lie in state @ indiana statehouse—abraham lincoln being other person have received such honor. during ten hours lay in state on july 24, more thirty-five thousand people filed past bronze casket; line still miles long @ end of day , thousands turned away. next day private funeral ceremony held , attended many dignitaries. large funeral procession carried him crown hill cemetery buried in tomb @ top of hill, highest point in city of indianapolis.

within year of riley s death many memorials created, including several james whitcomb riley memorial association. james whitcomb riley hospital children created , named in honor group of wealthy benefactors , opened in 1924. in following years, other memorials intended benefit children created, including camp riley youth disabilities.

the memorial foundation purchased poet s lockerbie home in indianapolis , maintained museum. james whitcomb riley museum home late-victorian home in indiana open public , united states late-victorian preservation, featuring authentic furniture , decor era. birthplace , boyhood home, james whitcomb riley house, preserved historical site. liberty ship, commissioned april 23, 1942, christened ss james whitcomb riley. served united states maritime commission until being scrapped in 1971.

james whitcomb riley high school opened in south bend, indiana in 1924. in 1950, there james whitcomb riley elementary school in hammond, indiana, torn down in 2006. east chicago, indiana had riley school @ 1 time, did neighboring gary, indiana , anderson, indiana. 1 of new castle, indiana s elementary schools named riley road on located along riley elementary school in la porte, indiana. former greenfield high school converted riley elementary school , listed on national register of historic places in 1986.

in 1940, u.s. postal service issued 10-cent stamp honoring riley.

as lasting tribute, citizens of greenfield hold festival every year in riley s honor. taking place first or second weekend of october, riley days festival traditionally commences flower parade in local school children place flowers around myra reynolds richards statue of riley on county courthouse lawn, while band plays lively music in honor of poet. weeks before festival, festival board has queen contest. 2010–2011 queen corinne butler. pageant has been going on many years in honor of hoosier poet

according historian elizabeth van allen, riley instrumental in helping form midwestern cultural identity. midwestern united states had no significant literary community before 1880s. works of western association of writers, notably of riley , wallace, helped create midwest s cultural identity , create rival literary community established eastern literari. reason, , publicity riley s work created, commonly known hoosier poet.