Bereavement
He lives again in Heaven’s unclouded…
John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887) was an American poet renowned for his rich satirical verse. Born on June 2, 1816, in Highgate, Vermont, Saxe was the son of Peter Saxe, a farmer, and Elizabeth Jewett Saxe. He graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut in 1839 and subsequently studied law at Middlebury College, being admitted to the bar in 1843. Saxe practiced law for several years before turning his attention to literature and journalism.
His quick wit and adept use of satire made his poetry widely appealing. He published several volumes of verse, the most remembered being "The Money-King, and Other Poems" (1859). A particularly famous piece, “The Blind Men and the Elephant,” humorously critiqued human biases and limited perspectives. Saxe's work was regularly featured in prominent periodicals of the time, including Harper’s Magazine and The Atlantic Monthly.
Saxe also dabbled in politics, running unsuccessfully for Governor of Vermont as a Democrat in 1859 and 1860. His later years were marked by personal tragedy and financial difficulties, yet he continued to write and lecture until his health declined. John Godfrey Saxe passed away on March 31, 1887, in Albany, New York, leaving behind a legacy of wit and wisdom encapsulated in his poetic contributions.