Field, Eugene, 1850-1895

Eugene Field (1850–1895) was a nineteenth-century American poet and essayist, best known for his children's verse and humorous prose. Fifteen of his works are held here, spanning a considerable range: the lively, read-aloud poems of Lullaby-Land: Songs of Childhood; the imaginative, fable-like short pieces in A Little Book of Profitable Tales and The Mouse and the Moonbeam; and The Love Affairs of a Bibliomaniac, a light, witty portrait of a book lover's quirks and obsessions, while verse collections such as John Smith, U.S.A. show the variety of his poetry. His writing is typically warm and playful, drawing poetry from everyday life and childhood and appealing to both adults and young readers. Because public information is limited, biographical details are hard to verify, yet the surviving works suggest a modest influence in children's literature and the essay, and he is often grouped among inspirational and coming-of-age reading.