James Russell Lowell (1819 -1891) was an American Romantic poet, critic, editor, and diplomat. Lowell was one of the Fireside Poets, who were a group of New England writers who first rivaled the popularity of British poets. Lowell graduated from Harvard law school and wrote his first collection of poetry in 1841. Lowell used his poetry in the fight for abolition. Lowell believed that the poet played an important role as a prophet and critic of society. A Fable for Critics is a short humorous piece. It is an excellent example of Lowell's writing style.