James Whitcomb Riley
American poet from Indianapolis (1849-1916) · United States · On the map · Writers · Died at 66
James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best-selling author. During his lifetime he was known as the "Hoosier Poet" and "Childrens' Poet" for his dialect works and his poetry for children. His poems tend to be humorous or sentimental.
James Whitcomb Riley is read about 96 times a day, in 16 languages.
A typical day, 30 days to 3 August 2026
The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 60 days, one point a day.
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Close ties
Also in Deutsch
Media & music
Photos 12
Signature of James Whitcome Riley
James Whitcomb Riley, John Singer Sargent, 1903
"The Old Swimming Hole" that appears in Riley's poems is now a large and well-used park on the east side of Greenfield.
Handwritten poem by James Whitcomb Riley
A sign Riley created advertising his services as a sign painter.
Birthplace and homes of James Whitcomb Riley with portraits of the poet at different periods of his life
About this person
Of the approximately 1,000 poems Riley wrote, the majority are in dialect. His famous works include "Little Orphant Annie" and "The Raggedy Man".
Country
United States
Category
Writers
Type
Writer / Author
Status
Deceased
Dates
Lived 1849 to 1916 · aged 66
