LITERARY SPHERE

Walt Whitman Overview Walt Whitman: A Literary Giant Walt Whitman (1819–1892) is often celebrated as the father of free verse and one of America’s most influential poets. His work broke from tradition, embracing a style that was democratic, personal, and rooted in the American spirit. Early Life and Career Born on May 31, 1819 , in Long Island, New York , Whitman worked as a printer, teacher, journalist, and editor. His Civil War experiences as a nurse deeply influenced his writing. He passed away in 1892 in Camden, New Jersey. Key Works Leaves of Grass This is Whitman’s major work, first published in 1855. He revised it many times throughout his life. The poems celebrate the self, nature, democracy, and the body. Song of Myself I Sing the Body Electric Crossing Brooklyn Ferry Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking O Captain! My Captain! (for Abraham Lincoln) When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d...