2879 James Russell Lowell: Portrait of a Many-Sided Man, by Edward Wagenknecht (read 16 Jun 1996) June 8, 1996, was a perfect day and I quoted the line "What is so rare as a day in June" and realized I did not know who said it! It is from Lowell's 1848 poem The Vision of Sir Launfel. So I thought it appropriate to expand my knowledge of Lowell and read this book. Lowell was born in Cambridge, Mass., 22 Feb 1819 and died at Elmwood, Mass., 12 Aug 1891. He was ambassador to Spain, and to Great Britain. He was a lawyer, but practiced very little. I thought this book well worth reading, though Lowell is not an entrancing figure. ( )