Children's poet James Whitcomb Riley



riley holds pet dog while posing photo group of children in front of indianapolis home


following death of father in 1894, riley began regretting choice not marry or have children. compensate lack of own children, became doting uncle, showering gifts on nieces , nephews. had repurchased childhood home in 1893 , allowed divorced sister, mary, widowed sister-in-law, julia, , daughters live in home. provided needs , spent summer months of 1893 living them. took nephew edmund eital personal secretary , gave him $50,000 wedding gift in 1912. riley loved family.


riley returned live near indianapolis later in 1893, boarding in private home in lockerbie district, small suburb. developed close friendship landlords, nickum , holstein families. home became destination local schoolchildren whom riley regularly recite poetry , tell stories. riley s friends visited home, , developed closer relationship eugene debs.


the same year, began compiling poems of interest children new book entitled rhymes of childhood. book richly illustrated howard chandler christy , riley authored few new poems book under pseudonym uncle sydney. rhymes of childhood became riley s best selling book, , sold millions of copies. has remained in print continually since 1912, , helped earn riley nickname children s poet. riley s rival, clemens, commented book charming , made him weep lost youth.









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