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STORY, WILLIAM WETMORE. Born in Salem, Massachusetts, February 12, 1819;
died in Vallambrosa, Italy, October 7, 1895. Mr. Story spent
the creative part of his life in Italy achieving fame as a sculptor,
writing poetry much read in its day, and exquisite studies of
Italian life and art, such as "Roba di Roma," one of
the finest books upon the Eternal City. He lived for years in
the old Barberini Palace, one of the most celebrated in Rome,
and led an enviable life with art and poetry and friendships.
This career, however, nearly miscarried, as his youth was spent
in the law, an occupation which he may be said to have inherited
from his father, Justice Joseph Story, of the United States Supreme
Court. That he recognized his true gift before it was too late
is a matter for gratitude. One of Mr. Story's finest pieces of
sculpture is the tomb of his wife in the Protestant Cemetery
at Rome, where he now lies beside her, only a few yards from
the grave of Shelley.
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This biographical note is reprinted
from The Little Book of American Poets: 1787-1900. Ed.
Jessie B. Rittenhouse. Cambridge: Riverside Press, 1915. |
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