Walking with Elihu: poems on Elihu Burritt, The Learned Blacksmith

Taylor Graham's poetry captures the life of an exceptional man of the nineteenth century. Elihu Burritt, born into a poor Connecticut family, was acclaimed "The Learned Blacksmith" by the Governor of Massachusetts when it was discovered he had mastered 50 foreign languages while working at the forge. Corresponding with Longfellow and others, Elihu Burritt became one of the most ardent peace activists in his century, helping organize international peace congresses, campaigning for a Congress of Nations, international law, and a World Court. Born nearly 200 years ago, he was well ahead of his time. President Lincoln appointed him Consular Agent to Birmingham, England. In her inimitable style, poet Taylor Graham, portrays Burritt's passion for peace and the betterment of man's condition in 94 beautiful poems. This is truly poetry for history.