Will Carleton

Will Carleton (1845–1912) was an American poet and journalist best known for narrative verse about rural life and domestic themes, often written in dialect. Born in Hudson, Michigan, he studied at Hillsdale College and later worked as a teacher before turning to writing. Carleton gained wide popularity in the late 19th century for poems that spoke in the voices of ordinary people, including “Over the Hills to the Poorhouse.” His work appeared in newspapers and magazines, and he also published several volumes of poetry. Carleton’s accessible style and sentimental storytelling made him a widely read poet of his era.