Help shape the future of the Greater Merrimack Valley – take our Visitors Survey or Regional Tourism Stakeholders Survey today!

Famous Poets of the Greater Merrimack Valley

Share this post:

The Greater Merrimack Valley is considered the “Valley of the Poets” by some local artists and poets, and it’s easy to see why. Many famous American poets were born, settled in, or simply spent time in the Greater Merrimack Valley. Here are a few of the most influential and well-known poets to have been influenced by the area.

Jack Kerouac

One of the most prominent poets of the Beat Generation, Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) was born and raised in Lowell. His works are recognizable from his stream of consciousness writing style and he based many of his works in his hometown.

jack kerouac

Kerouac is so beloved in his home city that there’s an annual festival to celebrate him at the beginning of October. The festival features tours of sites described in his Lowell-based novels, panel discussions, readings and poetry competitions, jazz and folk music, films, open mic events, and more. Kerouac fans and scholars from across the United States and around the world travel to Lowell for the festival. The 2024 festival goes from Thursday, October 10 to Monday, October 14.

To further carry on his legacy, the Jack Kerouac Foundation was formed in 2022. They’ve been working on turning Saint Jean Baptiste Church, which he attended as a boy, into a museum dedicated to him.

Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), the famous horror writer and poet, made many trips throughout New England, and often traveled through Lowell. Poe’s works have influenced writers all over the world, and many of his poems and short stories have been adapted into songs, movies, TV shows, and more.

During his trips to Lowell, Poe was a regular at the Worthen House Cafe. He dined and lodged in the tavern frequently during his travels, as he lived a rather nomadic lifestyle. It’s rumored that he even wrote part of “The Raven” while lodging in the Worthen House. Today, you can find drinks and food items referencing his poems on the menu.

Edgar Allan Poe, June 1849. Daguerreotype "Annie", given to Poe's friend Mrs. Annie L. Richmond; probably taken in June 1849 in Lowell, Massachusetts, photographer unknown.

Another interesting note is that one of two notable daguerreotypes (photos made with the first publicly available photographic process) of Poe was taken in Lowell. It was a photo given to his friend Annie L. Richmond by an unknown photographer in June 1849.

For Poe fans, be sure to visit Olympia’s Zorba Music Hall on October 19th and 20th for a two-day event that explores the world of poetry, music and performance celebrating Poe’s presence in Lowell. Tickets are $20 until Oct. 6, and $25 at door.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Poet, essayist, philosopher, and abolitionist Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) is one of the most notable writers to have called the Merrimack Valley home. He was a resident of Concord and remains among the linchpins of the American romantic movement, influencing many writers and thinkers of his own era and beyond.

American writer Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1857.

The Old Manse is a handsome Georgian clapboard house in Concord that Emerson called home. Upstairs is the very study where he penned his essays and poems that influenced his fellow writers. Tours of the Old Manse are available throughout the year, so be sure to check their calendar and explore the house Emerson called home.

Poets have been born, visited, and settled in the Greater Merrimack Valley for centuries, and many more have been influenced by their literary contributions. Whether you’re a writer yourself or simply enjoy poetry, come visit the Merrimack Valley to discover the places that inspired their works.

Recent Posts

More Posts

Skip to content