Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ( February 27 , 1807 -- March 24 , 1882 ) was an American educator and poet whose works include `` Paul Revere 's Ride '' , The Song of Hiawatha , and `` Evangeline '' . Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ( February 27 , 1807 -- March 24 , 1882 ) was an American poet and educator whose works include `` Paul Revere 's Ride '' , The Song of Hiawatha , and Evangeline .