Samuel Ullman
Samuel Ullman
A Poet of Wisdom and Humanity
Samuel Ullman was a remarkable individual who left an indelible mark on the world through his poetry, wisdom, and dedication to humanity. Born on January 28, 1846, in Heidlingen, Kingdom of Württemberg (now part of Germany), Ullman would grow up to become one of America's most beloved poets.
Full Name and Common Aliases
Samuel Ullman was commonly known as Sam or Samuel Ullmann. His full name is a testament to his rich cultural heritage, reflecting the complexities of identity that would shape his life and work.
Birth and Death Dates
January 28, 1846 – not available (died at an advanced age)
Nationality and Profession(s)
Ullman was a German-American poet, teacher, and author. He made significant contributions to American literature, particularly in the realm of poetry, during his lifetime.
Early Life and Background
Samuel Ullman's early life was marked by hardship and determination. Born into a Jewish family, he experienced anti-Semitic sentiments in his native Germany, which would later influence his writing. In 1868, at the age of 22, Ullman immigrated to America with little more than $10 in his pocket. He settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he began teaching and eventually became the principal of a local school.
Major Accomplishments
Ullman's life was filled with numerous achievements that solidified his reputation as a poet and educator. Some of his notable accomplishments include:
Writing over 3,000 poems, many of which explored themes of love, family, nature, and social justice.
Publishing several collections of poetry, including "The Works of Samuel Ullman" (1919) and "Poems Old and New" (1925).
Serving as the president of the Jewish Teachers' Association and working tirelessly to promote education and cultural exchange.Notable Works or Actions
Ullman's writing often reflected his deep empathy for humanity, particularly the struggles faced by immigrants like himself. Some of his most notable works include:
"I Never Told Anybody: Diaries of Samuel Ullman" (1948), a collection of diaries that offer a poignant glimpse into the poet's personal life.
* "The Book of Hours" (1914), a poetic reflection on the passage of time and the beauty of everyday moments.
Impact and Legacy
Samuel Ullman's impact on American literature and society extends far beyond his own lifetime. His poetry, characterized by its accessibility and emotional depth, continues to inspire readers today. As a poet and educator, he played a significant role in promoting literacy, cultural understanding, and social justice.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Ullman's quotes are widely cited due to their timeless wisdom and humanity. His words continue to resonate with people from diverse backgrounds and walks of life. One of his most famous quotes reads:
"The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."
— Samuel Ullman, "The Works of Samuel Ullman"
This quote encapsulates Ullman's philosophy on life: that even the smallest, seemingly insignificant individuals can rise to great heights with determination and resilience.
As a testament to his enduring legacy, Samuel Ullman remains one of America's most beloved poets. His poetry and wisdom continue to inspire generations of readers, reminding us all of the power of empathy, compassion, and the human spirit.
Quotes by Samuel Ullman
Whether seventy or sixteen, there is in every being’s heart a love of wonder; the sweet amazement at the stars and starlike things and thoughts; the undaunted challenge of events, the unfailing childlike appetite for what comes next, and the joy in the game of life.
Youth is not a time of life--it is a state of mind. It is not a matter of red cheeks, red lips and supple knees. It is a temper of the will; a quality of the imagination; a vigor of the emotions; it is a freshness of the deep springs of life. Youth means a tempermental predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over a life of ease. This often exists in a man of fifty, more than in a boy of twenty. Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years; people grow old by deserting their ideals.
Whether sixty or sixteen, there is in every human being's heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing child-like appetite of what's next, and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from men and from the infinite, so long are you young.
Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite, for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of sixty more than a body of twenty. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.
When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at twenty, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch the waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at eighty.
Whether seventy or sixteen, there is in every being's heart a love of wonder; the sweet amazement at the stars and starlike things and thoughts; the undaunted challenge of events, the unfailing childlike appetite for what comes next, and the joy in the game of life.