David Bates (March 6, 1809[1] – January 25, 1870) was an American poet.
He was born inIndian Hill, Ohio, and educated inBuffalo, New York, before working in firstIndianapolis thenPhiladelphia. In 1849, he published a volume of poetry,Eolian.[1]
Among his best-known works areSpeak Gently,[2] which was parodied byLewis Carroll inAlice's Adventures in Wonderland, as well as "Chiding", and "Childhood".
He started his adult life as a lowly clerk but, through hard work and determination, made his way in the business and eventually became a full member and chief buyer for an Indianapolis mercantile house. Apart from that Bates had a talent for writing easy going, gentle poetry and, at the age of 40, he had a collection of poems published under the title Eolian. One of the best known poems in this collection – Speak Gently – has become something of a universal hymn for people all over the world.
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