James Whitcomb Riley, known as the Hoosier Poet, was born on October 7, 1849 in a log cabin on the present site of the boyhood home in Greenfield, Indiana. The Greek Revival/Italianate styled home with the distinctive green shutters was built by Riley’s father Reuben. Inside the home, visitors will find “Little Orphant Annie’s” cubby hole and press. The Riley family lived in the home until 1864 wh
en Reuben Riley sold the home. James Whitcomb Riley was able to purchase the home himself in 1893. Riley moved his sister-in-law into the home, which allowed him to visit whenever he liked. The Riley family heirs remained in possession of the home until the City of Greenfield purchased it in 1935. The James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. James Whitcomb Riley, the Hoosier Poet, was the most successful poet of his time. During his lifetime he wrote over 1,000 poems in over 90 different editions. A member of Indiana's Golden Age of Literature, when the country looked to the Midwest as the ultimate in Americana, Riley's works were frequently on the best sellers lists of the time. He reportedly made more money than any American poet previous to him with the exception of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Riley was not just a regional phenomenon, but was a national sensation. In addition to the written word, Riley gave presentations of his works all over the country and even abroad. He was frequently invited to the White House to speak, and he was also the key note attraction at many national events - - including writing an original piece for the funeral of former President Ulysses S. It should be noted that Riley was the "headliner" at a performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City in the early 1900's. Riley died in 1916 and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery on the highest hill in the city of Indianapolis. Newspapers all over the country chronicled his death. President Woodrow Wilson sent personal condolences to the family, and at his funeral in Indiana's State Capitol Building, over 35,000 people passed by his casket in one day's time. Riley's legacy was not merely all of his wonderful works, but he also gave money to help establish the Indianapolis Marion County Central Library where there is a "Riley Room" in his honor. However, his greatest legacy was done as a memorial after his death. Several of his very influential friends in politics, business, and entertainment, banded together to form the James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. This institution was Indianapolis' first children's hospital, and is more commonly known today as "Riley Hospital." This was an appropriate honor to a man who loved his childhood, and loved children.
