Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was an American poet and educator born on February 27, 1807, in Portland, Maine, which at that time was part of Massachusetts. He is considered one of the most popular and influential poets of the 19th century in the United States. Longfellow is known for his lyric poetry that often presented American history and culture in romanticized terms. Some of his most famous works include "Paul Revere's Ride," "The Song of Hiawatha," and "Evangeline." He was also the first American to translate Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy" and was one of the five members of the group known as the Fireside Poets. Longfellow's work was characterized by its easy-to-understand language and rhythm, making it accessible and enjoyed by a wide audience. He passed away on March 24, 1882, leaving a legacy as a key figure in American literature.