Poetry. Philip Freneau

(1752-1832)

He was born in New York, in the family of the rather poor dealer - grocer. He graduated from Prinstone University. With a beginning of war for independence (1775-1783) he served in marine fleet of Washington, simultaneously began to write and to publish patriotic songs and poems. During the war Philip Freneau was taken a long term prisoner by the Englishmen. After a conclusion of peace he was freed and devoted himself to the literature. He founded "The National newspaper ". Soon it became a battle body of American democrats. Being excited with the ideas of T. Jefferson and T. Paine, Freneau and other progressive journalists, grouped around him criticized federalists led by their leader (attorney Hamilton) and stated disapproving by policy of George Washington for his concessions to southern slave-owners and bankers of New York. Philip Freneau fearlessly struggled against social injustice, defended the concerns of the deprived farmers and proletarians of the city, he acquired numerous powerful enemies among the state federal officers, slave-owners , dealers. Is like T. Paine, he died in poverty, forgotten by everybody.