Walt Whitman

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Corner of Henry and Cranberry Streets

Walt Whitman, age 28, 1848

Walt Whitman, steel engraving, July 1854

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Manuscript Whitman Broadway 1861

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Walt Whitman - Brady-Handy restored

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WhitmanHouse-CamdenNJ1

Walt Whitman (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist, and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. His work was very controversial in its time, particularly his poetry collection Leaves of Grass, which was described as obscene for its overt sexuality.

Early Life

Whitman was born in West Hills, Long Island, New York, to Louisa Van Velsor Whitman and Walter Whitman, Sr. His family soon moved to Brooklyn, where Whitman attended the newly founded Brooklyn Public Schools. At the age of eleven, he left school to work in a variety of professions, including teaching and journalism, which introduced him to the value of the written word and the power of language.

Career

In the early 1850s, Whitman began working on what would become his lifelong work, Leaves of Grass, a collection of poetry that sought to transcend traditional poetic form and content. The first edition was published in 1855 at his own expense. Whitman continued to expand and revise this collection throughout his life, with the final "deathbed edition" being published in 1892.

Whitman's poetry was revolutionary for its time. He wrote in a free verse style, without regular meter or rhyme, focusing instead on the rhythm of natural speech. His subjects included the beauty of the human body, the nature of the self, democracy, and the interconnectedness of all people and the environment. His work was heavily influenced by his beliefs in Transcendentalism and Realism, and he is often associated with both movements.

During the American Civil War, Whitman worked as a nurse in the army hospitals in Washington, D.C., where he cared for the wounded soldiers. These experiences deeply affected him and became a central theme in his later poetry, including the famous "Drum-Taps" sequence.

Legacy

Whitman's influence on American literature and poetry is profound. He is considered one of America's most important poets, and his work has inspired countless writers and artists around the world. His open celebration of democracy, nature, love, and friendship, along with his concern for the welfare of the individual, remains a powerful influence on American thought and literature.

Whitman's work has been the subject of much critical study, and he is often celebrated for his innovations in form and technique. His approach to poetry, focusing on the experiences and voices of all Americans, has made him a central figure in the American literary canon.

Death

Walt Whitman died on March 26, 1892, in Camden, New Jersey. His final resting place is in Harleigh Cemetery in Camden. Whitman's death marked the end of an era in American literature, but his legacy continues to thrive through his poetry and the countless writers and artists he has influenced.