The Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell is a collection of poems by the American poet and critic James Russell Lowell. The collection contains Lowell's entire poetic output, including his early satirical works, his political poems, and his later, more contemplative works. Lowell's early satirical poems, such as "A Fable for Critics" and "The Biglow Papers," are witty and humorous, but also critical of contemporary political and social issues. His political poems, including "The Present Crisis", address the issues of slavery, the Civil War, and the abolition of slavery. In his later works, such as "The Cathedral" and "The Vision of Sir Launfal," Lowell turns to more contemplative themes, exploring the nature of beauty, spirituality, and the role of the artist in society. Throughout his poems, Lowell demonstrates a keen sense of language and a mastery of poetic form, from the sonnet to the ballad. His works are marked by a deep understanding of the human condition and a profound commitment to social justice, making The Complete Poetical Works of James Russell Lowell an enduring contribution to American poetry.