Freneau, Philip

fre-no, Philip (1752-1832), an American poet of Revolutionary times. Freneau was born in New York City of French parentage. A graduate of Princeton, a school teacher, a student of theology and of law, a sea captain, an editor, a supporter of the cause of liberty during the Revolution,--his was a long and active life. At the age of eighty, he fell one stormy night on his way home from a gathering of friends, broke his hip, and died from exposure.

Freneau belongs to the same period as Joel Barlow. His satires and journalistic writings excited a powerful influence during the Revolution, but have ceased to be of interest. His political poetry--his satires were in verse--is keen, original, and vigorous almost to roughness. He is sometimes called the "noisy sailor" on account of these characteristics. Freneau wrote a few lyrics, however, which possess the beauty and grace of true poetry. Among these should be mentioned Eutaw Springs, The Wild Honeysuckle, and The Indian Burying Ground. Critics regard him as the one writer of the Revolutionary period who deserves the name of poet. A stanza or two will give a glimpse of his ability in lyric poetry, and of his humor. The first stanzas satirize the New England Puritans: