Edited by the poet and critic Rufus Wilmot Griswold, this anthology brings together a wide range of American verse, from the colonial period to the mid-19th century. The selections include works by canonical figures such as Edgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman, as well as lesser-known poets who offer unique insights into American life and culture. The volume also includes a critical introduction and extensive notes on each poem.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it.This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.