Eugene Field, known as "The Children's Poet," was born in St. Louis, September 2, 1850. The American writer wrote only for children. The first poem attributed to Field was written at age nine, about a relative's dog, Fido.

After the death of his mother, Field moved to Massachusetts where he began his formal studies. He later returned to study in Missouri as well, but was not known for taking education seriously. Though he eventually graduated from Knox College, he was best known at the time for his jokes and pranks.

After a trip to Europe, Field returned to America penniless. He then began writing, working as reporter for the Gazette, a newspaper in Saint Joseph, Missouri. That same year, he married Julia Comstock, and the couple went on to have 8 children.

His skills as a writer, particularly his ability to write in a humorous, light-hearted manner, made his work very popular and led to his articles being published in numerous newspapers outside of Missouri. In a very short time, he became the city editor of the Gazette.

After numerous stints at various papers in St. Louis and Kansas City, Field moved on to Colorado then to Chicago where began writing for the Chicago Daily News. His humorous column for the News was called Sharps and Flats.

Field's poetry first appeared in 1879 with his book "Christian Treasures." He would go on to release more than a dozen other volumes that also featured a light-hearted style, but in the format of poetry for children. Several of his poems were also set to music and many became a commercial success.

Because of his ties to children poetry, numerous elementary schools are named for the popular figure. Field died on November 4, 1895.

Field's best known poem is "Wynken, Blynken, and Nod".

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod

Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe--
Sailed on a river of crystal light,
Into a sea of dew.
"Where are you going, and what do you wish?"
The old moon asked the three.
"We have come to fish for the herring fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we!"
Said Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

The old moon laughed and sang a song,
As they rocked in the wooden shoe,
And the wind that sped them all night long
Ruffled the waves of dew.
The little stars were the herring fish
That lived in that beautiful sea--
"Now cast your nets wherever you wish--
Never afeard are we";
So cried the stars to the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam--
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
Bringing the fishermen home;
'Twas all so pretty a sail it seemed
As if it could not be,
And some folks thought 'twas a dream they'd dreamed
Of sailing that beautiful sea--
But I shall name you the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.

Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
Is a wee one's trundle-bed.
So shut your eyes while mother sings
Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
As you rock in the misty sea,
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod