James Russell Lowell (February 22, 1819-August 12, 1891) was an American poet, editor and diplomat. He was the son of Charles Lowell, minister of the West Church in Boston. A graduate of Harvard Law School, James Russell Lowell wrote poetry and prose which received wide acclaim. His well-known works include: Fable For Critics, 1848; and Biglow Papers, 1848-67. He edited the Atlantic Monthly, 1857-61; and the North American Review, 1862-72.
He received honorary degrees from both Oxford and Cambridge, and became a professor at Harvard. Lowell was appointed by President Rutherford B. Hayes as U.S. Minister to Spain, 1877-80, and England, 1880-85, where he was immensely popular. James Russell Lowell was once asked by Francois Guizot (1787-1874), the French historian and diplomat, "How long will the American Republic endure?" Lowell replied:
<As long as the ideas of the men who founded it continue dominant.> 1819JL001
On November 20, 1885, in his International Copyright, James Russell Lowell stated:
<In vain we call old notions fudge,
And bend our conscience to our dealing;
The Ten Commandments will not budge,
And stealing will continue stealing.> 1819JL002
In volume II of his Literary Essays, 1810-90, James Russell Lowell wrote New England Two Centuries Ago:
<Puritanism, believing itself quick with the seed of religious liberty, laid, without knowing it, the egg of democracy.> 1819JL003
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1819JL001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). James Russell Lowell. Daniel Marsh, Unto The Generations (Buena Park, CA: ARC, 1970), p. 51. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, 1987), p. 48. Edward L.R. Elson, D.D., Lit.D., LL.D., America's Spiritual Recovery (Westwood, N.J.: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1954), p. 73.
1819JL002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). James Russell Lowell, November 20, 1885, in his International Copyright. John Bartlett, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1855, 1980), p. 569.
1819JL003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). James Russell Lowell, 1810-1890, in his Literary Essays, Vol. II, New England Two Centuries Ago. Charles Fadiman, ed., The American Treasury (NY: Harper & Brothers, Publishers, 1955), p. 119. James Russell Lowell, Among My Books, New England Two Centuries Ago. John Bartlett, Bartlett's Familiar Quotations (Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1855, 1980), p. 569.