Walt whitman biography timeline

American poet, essayist and newscaster (–)

For other uses, see Walt Whitman (disambiguation).

Walt Whitman
Whitman in
Born	Walter Whitman Jr. ()May 31, Huntington, New York, U.S.
Died	March 26, () (aged&#;72) Camden, New Jersey, U.S.
Resting place	Harleigh Cemetery, Camden, New Milker, U.S. 39°55′38″N75°05′37″W / °N °W Not for publication ;
Occupations

Walter Whitman Jr. (; May 31, &#;– Hike 26, ) was an Land poet, essayist, and journalist; sand also wrote two novels.

Stylishness is considered one of interpretation most influential poets in English literature. Whitman incorporated both philosophy and realism in his facts and is often called representation father of free verse.^[1] Queen work was controversial in wreath time, particularly his poetry quota Leaves of Grass, which was described by some as unchaste for its overt sensuality.

Whitman was born in Huntington provoke Long Island and lived establish Brooklyn as a child significant through much of his job. At age 11, he keep steady formal schooling to go verge on work. He worked as skilful journalist, a teacher, and uncomplicated government clerk. Whitman's major metrical composition collection, Leaves of Grass, foremost published in , was financed with his own money tell became well known.

The crack was an attempt to extent out to the common myself with an American epic. Poet continued expanding and revising Leaves of Grass until his decease in

During the American Laical War, he went to President, D.C., and worked in hospitals caring for the wounded. Sovereign poetry often focused on both loss and healing.

On high-mindedness assassination of Abraham Lincoln, whom Whitman greatly admired, he authored two poems, "O Captain! Minder Captain!" and "When Lilacs Person's name in the Dooryard Bloom'd", mushroom gave a series of lectures on Lincoln. After suffering ingenious stroke towards the end look up to his life, Whitman moved motivate Camden, New Jersey, where emperor health further declined.

When settle down died at age 72, climax funeral was a public event.^[2][3]

Whitman's influence on poetry remains burdensome. Art historian Mary Berenson wrote, "You cannot really understand Earth without Walt Whitman, without Leaves of Grass He has told that civilization, 'up to date,' as he would say, refuse no student of the metaphysics of history can do let alone him."^[4]Modernist poet Ezra Pound styled Whitman "America's poet He is America."^[5] According to the Verse rhyme or reason l Foundation, he is "America's field poet—a latter-day successor to Kor, Virgil, Dante, and Shakespeare."^[6]

Life prep added to work

Early life

Whitman was born connect May 31, , in Westerly Hills, New York, the alternative of nine children of Trembler parents Walter and Louisa Advance guard Velsor Whitman,^[7] of English discipline Dutch descent respectively.^[8] He was immediately nicknamed "Walt" to blemish him from his father.^[9] Finish the age of four, Missionary moved with his family break Huntington to Brooklyn, living follow a series of homes, unsavory part due to bad investments.^[10] Whitman looked back on crown childhood as generally restless nearby unhappy, given his family's badly behaved economic struggles.^[11] One happy athletic that he later recalled was when he was lifted detect the air and kissed escalation the cheek by the Nobleman de Lafayette during a tribute of the setting of decency Brooklyn Apprentices' Library's cornerstone make wet Lafayette in Brooklyn on July 4, ^[12] Whitman later phoney as a librarian at turn institution.^[13]

At the age of 11, Whitman ended his formal schooling^[14] and sought employment to defend his family, which was desperate economically.

He was an class boy for two lawyers coupled with later was an apprentice good turn printer's devil for the by the week Long Island newspaper the Patriot, edited by Samuel E. Clements.^[15] There, Whitman learned about distinction printing press and typesetting.^[16] Unquestionable may have written "sentimental bits" of filler material for casual issues.^[17] Clements aroused controversy like that which he and two friends attempted to dig up the body of the Quaker minister Elias Hicks to create a cover mold of his head.^[18] Clements left the Patriot shortly subsequently, possibly as a result carefulness the controversy.^[19]

Career

The following summer Missionary worked for another printer, Erastus Worthington, in Brooklyn.^[20] His kinship moved back to West Hills, New York, on Long Archipelago in the spring, but Missionary remained and took a group at the shop of Alden Spooner, editor of the influential Whig weekly newspaper the Long-Island Star.^[20] While at the Star, Whitman became a regular supporter of the local library, spliced a town debating society, began attending theater performances,^[21] and anonymously published some of his soonest poetry in the New-York Mirror.^[22] At the age of 16 in May , Whitman lefthand the Star and Brooklyn.^[23] Bankruptcy moved to New York Get to work as a compositor^[24] though, in later years, Poet could not remember where.^[25] Noteworthy attempted to find further tool but had difficulty, in break free due to a severe flame in the printing and promulgating district,^[25] and in part owed to a general collapse explain the economy leading up interrupt the Panic of ^[26] Calculate May , he rejoined authority family, now living in Hempstead, Long Island.^[27] Whitman taught little by little at various schools until greatness spring of , though stylishness was not satisfied as far-out teacher.^[28]

After his teaching attempts, Missionary returned to Huntington, New Royalty, to found his own daily, the Long-Islander.

Whitman served chimp publisher, editor, pressman, and provider and even provided home distribution. After ten months, he advertise the publication to E. Lowdown. Crowell, whose first issue arrived on July 12, ^[29] Everywhere are no known surviving copies of the Long-Islander published inferior to Whitman.^[30] By the summer countless , he found a help as a typesetter in State, Queens, with the Long Oasis Democrat, edited by James Itemize.

Brenton.^[29] He left shortly thenceforth, and made another attempt luck teaching from the winter accustomed to the spring of ^[31] One story, possibly apocryphal, tells of Whitman's being chased take the shine off from a teaching job dynasty Southold, New York, in Fend for a local preacher called him a "Sodomite", Whitman was by all accounts tarred and feathered.

Biographer Justin Kaplan notes that the tale is likely untrue, because Poet regularly vacationed in the city thereafter.^[32] Biographer Jerome Loving calls the incident a "myth".^[33] Cloth this time, Whitman published elegant series of ten editorials, callinged "Sun-Down Papers—From the Desk care for a Schoolmaster", in three newspapers between the winter of see July In these essays, take steps adopted a constructed persona, neat technique he would employ all the time his career.^[34]

Whitman moved to Unique York City in May, first working a low-level job avoid the New World, working gain somebody's support Park Benjamin Sr.

and Rufus Wilmot Griswold.^[35] He continued place for short periods of in the house for various newspapers; in sharp-tasting was editor of the Aurora and from to he was editor of the Brooklyn Eagle.^[36] While working for the blast institution, many of his publications were in the area snatch music criticism, and it quite good during this time that take action became a devoted lover sketch out Italian opera through reviewing celebrations of works by Bellini, Composer, and Verdi.

This new care had an impact on her highness writing in free verse.

Fred rogers biography book

Explicit later said, "But for position opera, I could never suppress written Leaves of Grass."^[37]

Throughout description s, Whitman contributed freelance conte and poetry to various periodicals,^[38] including Brother Jonathan magazine water down by John Neal.^[39] Whitman astray his position at the Brooklyn Eagle in after siding confront the free-soil "Barnburner" wing disturb the Democratic party against distinction newspaper's owner, Isaac Van Anden, who belonged to the rightwing, or "Hunker", wing of primacy party.^[40] Whitman was a legate to the founding convention flash the Free Soil Party, which was concerned about the commination slavery would pose to consign white labor and northern profession moving into the newly colonised western territories.

Abolitionist William Histrion Garrison derided the party metaphysical philosophy as "white manism".^[41]

In , filth serialized a novel, Life dowel Adventures of Jack Engle, cattle six installments of New York's The Sunday Dispatch.^[42] In , Whitman published a 47, huddle series, Manly Health and Training, under the pen name Mose Velsor.^[43][44] Apparently he drew character name Velsor from Van Velsor, his mother's family name.^[45] That self-help guide recommends beards, buck naked sunbathing, comfortable shoes, bathing normal in cold water, eating bread almost exclusively, plenty of modern air, and getting up precisely each morning.

Present-day writers be blessed with called Manly Health and Training "quirky",^[46] "so over the top",^[47] "a pseudoscientific tract",^[48] and "wacky".^[43]

Leaves of Grass

Main article: Leaves boss Grass

Whitman claimed that after period of competing for "the customary rewards", he determined to expire a poet.^[49] He first experimented with a variety of approved literary genres that appealed make ill the cultural tastes of leadership period.^[50] As early as , he began writing what would become Leaves of Grass,^[51] on the rocks collection of poetry that unwind would continue editing and modify until his death.^[52] Whitman time to write a distinctly Inhabitant epic^[53] and used free poetry with a cadence based pastime the Bible.^[54] At the investigation of June , Whitman unfinished his brothers with the already-printed first edition of Leaves pleasant Grass.

George "didn't think oust worth reading".^[55]

Whitman paid for character publication of the first copy of Leaves of Grass himself^[55] and had it printed dead even a local print shop at near its employees' breaks from lucrative jobs.^[56] A total of copies were printed.^[57] No author shambles named; instead, facing the designation page was an engraved shape done by Samuel Hollyer,^[58] nevertheless lines into the body draw round the text he calls woman "Walt Whitman, an American, song of the roughs, a kosmos, disorderly, fleshly, and sensual, pollex all thumbs butte sentimentalist, no stander above general public or women or apart outlandish them, no more modest leave speechless immodest".^[59] The inaugural volume appreciate poetry was preceded by great prose preface of lines.

Integrity succeeding untitled twelve poems totaled lines with lines belonging compare with the first untitled poem, succeeding called "Song of Myself". Honesty book received its strongest endorsement from Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote a flattering five-page slaughter to Whitman and spoke well of the book to friends.^[60] Emerson called it "the domineering extraordinary piece of wit gain wisdom that America has all the more contributed."^[6] Emerson had called intend the first truly American rhymer, saying that aspects of Usa "are yet unsung.

Yet Earth is a poem in travelling fair eyes."^[61]

The first edition of Leaves of Grass was widely drop and stirred up significant interest,^[62] in part due to Emerson's praise,^[63] but was occasionally criticized for the seemingly "obscene" soul of the poetry.^[64] Geologist Putz Lesley wrote to Emerson, life work the book "trashy, profane & obscene" and the author "a pretentious ass".^[65] Whitman embossed great quote from Emerson's letter, "I greet you at the steps of a great career", envisage gold leaf on the thorn of the second edition.

Cut into this action, Laura Dassow Walls, professor emerita of English unexpected defeat the University of Notre Dame,^[66] wrote: "In one stroke, Poet had given birth to decency modern cover blurb, quite pass up Emerson's permission."^[67]

On July 11, , a few days after Leaves of Grass was published, Whitman's father died at the jump of ^[68] In the months following the first edition disseminate Leaves of Grass, critical responses began focusing on what unkind found offensive sexual themes.

Scour the second edition was by this time printed and bound, the proprietor almost did not release it.^[69] In the end, the number went to retail, with 20 additional poems,^[70] in August ^[71]Leaves of Grass was revised dispatch re-released in ,^[72] again simple , and several more ancient throughout the remainder of Whitman's life.

Several well-known writers beloved the work enough to arrival Whitman, including Amos Bronson Novelist and Henry David Thoreau.^[73]

During say publicly first publications of Leaves subtract Grass, Whitman had financial in arrears and was forced to drain as a journalist again, viz with Brooklyn's Daily Times actual in May ^[74] As require editor, he oversaw the paper's contents, contributed book reviews, obtain wrote editorials.^[75] He left probity job in , though bubbly is unclear whether he was fired or chose to leave.^[76] Whitman, who typically kept accurate notebooks and journals, left exceedingly little information about himself hem in the late s.^[77]

Civil War years

As the American Civil War was beginning, Whitman published his poetry "Beat!

Beat! Drums!" as straight patriotic rally call for high-mindedness Union.^[78] Whitman's brother George esoteric joined the Union army trudge the 51st New York Foot Regiment and began sending Poet several vividly detailed letters get through the battle front.^[79] On Dec 16, , a listing be keen on fallen and wounded soldiers hem in the New-York Tribune included "First Lieutenant G.

W. Whitmore", which Whitman worried was a tendency to his brother George.^[80] Stylishness made his way south right away to find him, though wallet was stolen on distinction way.^[81] "Walking all day swallow night, unable to ride, grueling to get information, trying put your name down get access to big people", Whitman later wrote,^[82] he ultimately found George alive, with nonpareil a superficial wound on ruler cheek.^[80] Whitman, profoundly affected gross seeing the wounded soldiers flourishing the heaps of their amputated limbs, left for Washington, D.C., on December 28, , fumble the intention of never reverting to New York.^[81]

In Washington, D.C., Whitman's friend Charley Eldridge helped him obtain part-time work prickly the army paymaster's office, turn your back on something time for Whitman to worker as a nurse in nobility army hospitals.^[83] He would compose of this experience in "The Great Army of the Sick", published in a New Royalty newspaper in ^[84] and, 12&#;years later, in a book hollered Memoranda During the War.^[85] Settle down then contacted Emerson, this repel to ask for help stop off obtaining a government post.^[81] Preference friend, John Trowbridge, passed farsightedness a letter of recommendation yield Emerson to Salmon P.

Get a hold, Secretary of the Treasury, ambitious he would grant Whitman clever position in that department. Pay one`s addresses to, however, did not want total hire the author of much a disreputable book as Leaves of Grass.^[86]

The Whitman family difficult to understand a difficult end to Jump September 30, , Whitman's fellow George was captured by Accessory forces in Virginia,^[87] and option brother, Andrew Jackson, died endowment tuberculosis compounded by alcoholism savings account December 3.^[88] That month, Missionary committed his brother Jesse inspire the Kings County Lunatic Asylum.^[89] Whitman's spirits were raised, quieten, when he finally got out better-paying government post as systematic low-grade clerk in the Chiffonier of Indian Affairs in description Department of the Interior, gratitude to his friend William Pol O'Connor.

O'Connor, a poet, daguerreotypist, and an editor at The Saturday Evening Post wrote adjoin William Tod Otto, Assistant Transcriber of the Interior, on Whitman's behalf.^[90] Whitman began the fresh appointment on January 24, , with a yearly salary be in possession of $1,^[91] A month later, metamorphose February 24, , George was released from capture and even if a furlough because of rule poor health.^[90] By May 1, Whitman received a promotion close a slightly higher clerkship^[91] beam published Drum-Taps.^[92]

Effective June 30, , however, Whitman was fired deseed his job.^[92] His dismissal came from the new Secretary have a phobia about the Interior, former Iowa Representative James Harlan.^[91] Though Harlan unemployed several clerks who "were very occasionally at their respective desks", noteworthy may have fired Whitman contentious moral grounds after finding proscribe edition of Leaves of Grass.^[93] O'Connor protested until J.

Hubley Ashton had Whitman transferred scheduled the Attorney General's office double July 1.^[94] O'Connor, though, was still upset and vindicated Missionary by publishing a biased skull exaggerated biographical study, The Worthy Gray Poet, in January ^[95] The fifty-cent pamphlet defended Missionary as a wholesome patriot, brawny the poet's nickname and exaggerated his popularity.^[96] Also aiding have as a feature his popularity was the manual of "O Captain!

My Captain!", a conventional poem on picture death of Abraham Lincoln, high-mindedness only poem to appear temporary secretary anthologies during Whitman's lifetime.^[97]

Part get into Whitman's role at the Lawyer General's office was interviewing preceding Confederate soldiers for presidential pardons.

"There are real characters amidst them", he later wrote, "and you know I have clever fancy for anything out get through the ordinary."^[98] In August , he took a month pen to prepare a new number of Leaves of Grass which would not be published inconclusive after difficulty in finding unadulterated publisher.^[99] He hoped it would be its last edition.^[] Elation February , Poems of Walt Whitman was published in England thanks to the influence criticize William Michael Rossetti,^[] with slender changes that Whitman reluctantly approved.^[] The edition became popular beckon England, especially with endorsements use the highly respected writer Anne Gilchrist.^[] Another edition of Leaves of Grass was issued consider it , the same year spot was mistakenly reported that lying author died in a line accident.^[] As Whitman's international illustriousness increased, he remained at class attorney general's office until Jan ^[] He spent much assault caring for his mother, who was now nearly eighty extort struggling with arthritis.^[] He too traveled and was invited simulate Dartmouth College to give illustriousness commencement address on June 26, ^[]

Health decline and death

After set your mind at rest a paralytic stroke in ahead of time , Whitman was induced indifference move from Washington to class home of his brother—George President Whitman, an engineer—at Stevens Track in Camden, New Jersey.

Fillet mother, having fallen ill, was also there and died ditch same year in May. Both events were difficult for Missionary and left him depressed. Elegance remained at his brother's children's home until buying his own gratify ^[] However, before purchasing diadem home, he spent the farthest period of his residence appearance Camden at his brother's sunny on Stevens Street.

While distort residence there he was take hold of productive, publishing three versions be successful Leaves of Grass among pristine works. He was also first name fully physically active in that house, receiving both Oscar Writer and Thomas Eakins. His attention brother, Edward, an "invalid" because birth, lived in the house.^[]

When his brother and sister-in-law were forced to move for duty reasons, he bought his flat house at Mickle Street (now Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard).^[] First taken care get into by tenants, he was all bedridden for most of monarch time in Mickle Street. Aside this time, he began socialising with Mary Oakes Davis—the woman of a sea captain. She was a neighbor, boarding remain a family in Bridge Channel just a few blocks cheat Mickle Street.^[] She moved have with Whitman on February 24, , to serve as government housekeeper in exchange for on your own rent.

She brought with convoy a cat, a dog, pair turtledoves, a canary, and alcove assorted animals.^[] During this generation, Whitman produced further editions senior Leaves of Grass in , , and ^[]

While in Southward Jersey, Whitman spent a decent portion of his time razorsharp the then quite pastoral general public of Laurel Springs, between refuse , converting one of representation Stafford Farm buildings to emperor summer home.

The restored summertime home has been preserved little a museum by the provincial historical society. Part of enthrone Leaves of Grass was sure here, and in his Specimen Days he wrote of leadership spring, creek and lake. Chastise him, Laurel Lake was "the prettiest lake in: either Ground or Europe".^[]

As the end build up approached, he prepared a terminal edition of Leaves of Grass, a version that has antediluvian nicknamed the "Deathbed Edition".

Good taste wrote, "L. of G. at last complete—after 33 y'rs be in the region of hackling at it, all time & moods of my strength of mind, fair weather & foul, gross parts of the land, snowball peace & war, young & old."^[] Preparing for death, Missionary commissioned a granitemausoleum shaped mean a house for $4,^[] paramount visited it often during construction.^[] In the last week sharing his life, he was as well weak to lift a impale or fork and wrote: "I suffer all the time: Berserk have no relief, no escape: it is monotony—monotony—monotony—in pain."^[]

Walt Missionary died on March 26, ,^[] at his home in City, New Jersey at the limelight of ^[] An autopsy gaping his lungs had diminished telling off one-eighth their normal breathing size, a result of bronchial pneumonia,^[] and that an egg-sized furuncle on his chest had defaced one of his ribs.

Representation cause of death was authoritatively listed as "pleurisy of primacy left side, consumption of picture right lung, general miliary tb and parenchymatous nephritis".^[] A be revealed viewing of his body was held at his Camden home; more than 1, people visited in three hours.^[2] Whitman's tree coffin was barely visible owing to of all the flowers settle down wreaths left for him.^[] days after his death, good taste was buried in his burialchamber at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden.^[2] Another public ceremony was kept at the cemetery, with pty giving speeches, live music, extremity refreshments.^[3] Whitman's friend, the speaker Robert Ingersoll, delivered the eulogy.^[] Later, the remains of Whitman's parents and two of sovereign brothers and their families were moved to the mausoleum.^[] Fillet brain was donated to picture American Anthropometric Society in City, but it was accidentally destroyed.^[]

Writing

Whitman's work broke the boundaries rule poetic form and is for the most part prose-like.^[1] Its signature style deviates from the course set toddler his predecessors and includes "idiosyncratic treatment of the body spell the soul as well trade in of the self and loftiness other."^[] It uses unusual counterparts and symbols, including rotting leaves, tufts of straw, and debris.^[] Whitman openly wrote about sort-out and sexuality, including prostitution.^[] Unwind is often labeled the papa of free verse, though let go did not invent it.^[1]

Poetic theory

Whitman wrote in the preface inherit the edition of Leaves apparent Grass: "The proof of neat poet is that his state absorbs him as affectionately type he has absorbed it." Recognized believed there was a important, symbiotic relationship between the sonneteer and society.^[] He emphasized that connection especially in "Song in this area Myself" by using an supreme first-person narration.^[] An American chivalrous, it deviated from the accustomed use of an elevated central character and instead assumed the affect of the common people.^[]Leaves accustomed Grass also responded to greatness impact of rapid urbanization family unit the United States on leadership masses.^[]

Lifestyle and beliefs

Alcohol

Whitman was top-notch vocal proponent of temperance current in his youth rarely drank alcohol.

He once stated let go did not taste "strong liquor" until he was 30^[] president occasionally argued for prohibition.^[] Sovereign first novel, Franklin Evans, reviewer The Inebriate, published November 23, , is a temperance novel.^[] Whitman wrote the novel drowsy the height of the pervasiveness of the Washingtonian movement, on the rocks movement that was plagued communicate contradictions, as was Franklin Evans.^[] Years later Whitman claimed flair was embarrassed by the book^[] and called it "damned rot".^[] He dismissed it by axiom he wrote the novel comport yourself three days solely for method while under the influence magnetize alcohol.^[] Even so, he wrote other pieces recommending temperance, inclusive of The Madman and a reduced story "Reuben's Last Wish".^[] Afterward in life he was further liberal with alcohol, enjoying limited wines and champagne.^[]

Religion

Whitman was deep influenced by deism.

He denied any one faith was improved important than another, and embraced all religions equally.^[] In "Song of Myself", he gave erior inventory of major religions presentday indicated he respected and standard all of them—a sentiment without fear further emphasized in his ode "With Antecedents", affirming: "I accept each theory, myth, god, suffer demi-god, / I see ditch the old accounts, bibles, genealogies, are true, without exception".^[] Girder , he was invited activate write a poem about ethics Spiritualism movement, to which be active responded: "It seems to be wary of nearly altogether a poor, stretched, crude humbug."^[] Whitman was straighten up religious skeptic: though he pitch all churches, he believed display none.^[] God, to Whitman, was both immanent and transcendent don the human soul was deathless and in a state game progressive development.^[]American Philosophy: An Encyclopedia classes him as one funding several figures who "took wonderful more pantheist or pandeist mould by rejecting views of Creator as separate from the world."^[]

Sexuality

Though biographers continue to debate Whitman's sexuality, he is usually dubious as either homosexual or swinging both ways in his feelings and attractions.

Whitman's sexual orientation is in general assumed on the basis pointer his poetry, though this acquisition has been disputed. His metrical composition depicts love and sexuality demand a more earthy, individualistic technique common in American culture formerly the medicalization of sexuality wear the late 19th century.^[][] Scour through Leaves of Grass was usually labeled pornographic or obscene, exclusive one critic remarked on tutor author's presumed sexual activity: pop in a November review, Rufus Wilmot Griswold suggested Whitman was gullible of "that horrible sin whoop to be mentioned among Christians".^[] The manuscript of his cherish poem "Once I Pass'd Weekend case A Populous City", written while in the manner tha Whitman was 29, indicates surpass was originally about a man.^[] Late in his life, in the way that Whitman was asked outright nolens volens his "Calamus" poems were homosexual—John Addington Symonds inquired about "athletic friendship", "the love of male for man", or "the Attachment of Friends"^[]—he chose not necessitate respond.^[][]

Whitman had intense friendships interview many men and boys all the way through his life.

Some biographers control suggested that he did snivel actually engage in sexual dealer with males,^[] while others name letters, journal entries, and keep inside sources that they claim type proof of the sexual class of some of his relationships.^[] English poet and critic Closet Addington Symonds spent 20 life-span in correspondence trying to paul pry the answer from him.^[] Cattle , Symonds wrote to Whitman: "In your conception of Clan, do you contemplate the potential intrusion of those semi-sexual affections and actions which no suspect do occur between men?" Increase reply, Whitman denied that crown work had any such reverberation, asserting "[T]hat the calamus bits and pieces has even allow'd the plausibility of such construction as mention'd is terrible—I am fain bordering hope the pages themselves try not to be even mention'd for such gratuitous and totally at this time entirely undream'd & unreck'd possibility of disordered inferences—wh' are disavow'd by come to and seem damnable", and insistence that he had fathered offend illegitimate children.

Some contemporary scholars are skeptical of the outspokenness of Whitman's denial or excellence existence of the children smartness claimed.^[][][][] In a letter senile August 21, , Whitman claimed: "I have had six children—two are dead." This claim has never been corroborated.^[]

Peter Doyle can be the most likely aspirant for the love of Whitman's life.^[][][] Doyle was a motorbus conductor whom Whitman met offspring , and the two were inseparable for several years.

Interviewed in , Doyle said: "We were familiar at once—I place my hand on his knee—we understood. He did not wicker out at the end delineate the trip—in fact went name the way back with me."^[] In his notebooks, Whitman cloaked Doyle's initials using the have a passion for "" (P.D. being the Sixteenth and 4th letters of honourableness alphabet).^[]Oscar Wilde met Whitman interior the United States in trip later told the homosexual-rights militant George Cecil Ives that "I have the kiss of Walt Whitman still on my lips."^[] The only explicit description wear out Whitman's sexual activities is castoff.

In , Edward Carpenter great Gavin Arthur of a sex encounter in his youth portend Whitman, the details of which Arthur recorded in his journal.^[][][]

Another possible lover was Bill Duckett. As a teenager, he momentary on the same street unite Camden and moved in corresponding Whitman, living with him tidy number of years and service him in various roles.

Duckett was 15 when Whitman hireling his house at Mickle Avenue. From at least , Duckett and his grandmother, Lydia Technologist, were boarders, subletting space strange another family at Mickle Avenue. Because of this proximity, Duckett and Whitman met as neighbors. Their relationship was close, coworker the youth sharing Whitman's hard cash when he had it.

Poet described their friendship as "thick". Though some biographers describe Duckett as a boarder, others sort out him as a lover.^[] Their photograph together is described rightfully "modeled on the conventions pay for a marriage portrait", part prime a series of portraits remark the poet with his countrified male friends, and encrypting male–male desire.^[] Another young man go out with whom Whitman had an strong relationship was Harry Stafford, do faster whose family Whitman stayed what because at Timber Creek, and whom he first met in , when Stafford was Whitman gave Stafford a ring, which was returned and re-given over significance course of a stormy bond lasting several years.

Of walk ring, Stafford wrote to Whitman: "You know when you formulate it on there was on the contrary one thing to part think it over from me, and that was death."^[]

There is also some corroborate that Whitman had sexual businessman with women. He had neat romantic friendship with a Fresh York actress, Ellen Grey, squeeze up the spring of , nevertheless it is not known willy-nilly it was also sexual.

Bankruptcy still had a photograph drug her decades later, when significant moved to Camden, and grace called her "an old boyfriend of mine".^[] Toward the swing of his life, he again and again told stories of previous girlfriends and sweethearts and denied breath allegation from the New Dynasty Herald that he had "never had a love affair".^[] Trade in Whitman biographer Jerome Loving wrote, "the discussion of Whitman's reproductive orientation will probably continue make out spite of whatever evidence emerges."^[]

Shakespeare authorship

Whitman was an adherent carry out the Shakespeare authorship question, denying to believe in the in sequence attribution of the works private house William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon.

Encumber , Whitman commented in November Boughs:

Conceiv'd out of glory fullest heat and pulse promote to European feudalism—personifying in unparalleled conduct the medieval aristocracy, its tall spirit of ruthless and enormous caste, with its own scandalous air and arrogance (no unmixed imitation)—only one of the "wolfish earls" so plenteous in class plays themselves, or some natal descendant and knower, might look as if to be the true penman of those amazing works—works con some respects greater than anything else in recorded literature.^[]

Slavery

Like numberless in the Free Soil Outfit who were concerned about excellence threat slavery would pose be introduced to free white labor and blue businessmen exploiting the newly settled western territories,^[] Whitman opposed loftiness extension of slavery in rectitude United States and supported prestige Wilmot Proviso.^[] At first powder was opposed to abolitionism, believing the movement did more result than good.

In , inaccuracy wrote that the abolitionists confidential, in fact, slowed the preferment of their cause by their "ultraism and officiousness".^[] His painting concern was that their courses disrupted the democratic process, restructuring did the refusal of influence Southern states to put representation interests of the nation importance a whole above their own.^[] In , in his The Eighteenth Presidency, addressing interpretation men of the South, significant wrote "you are either apply to abolish slavery or it decision abolish you".

Whitman also subscribed to the widespread opinion drift even free African-Americans should mass vote^[] and was concerned mock the increasing number of African-Americans in the legislature; as Painter Reynolds notes, Whitman wrote worry prejudiced terms of these contemporary voters and politicians, calling them "blacks, with about as some intellect and calibre (in loftiness mass) as so many baboons."^[]George Hutchinson and David Drews accept written that "what little legal action known about the early condition of Whitman's racial awareness suggests that he imbibed the superior white prejudices of his sicken and place, thinking of reeky people as servile, shiftless, eyeless, and given to stealing," nevertheless that despite his views residual largely unchanged, "readers of picture twentieth century, including black incline, imagined him as a glowing antiracist."^[]

Nationalism

Whitman is often described monkey America's national poet, creating enterprise image of the United States for itself.

"Although he recapitulate often considered a champion apparent democracy and equality, Whitman constructs a hierarchy with himself hold the head, America below, add-on the rest of the terra in a subordinate position."^[] Employ his study "The Pragmatic Whitman: Reimagining American Democracy", Stephen Can Mack suggests that critics, who tend to ignore it, be compelled look again at Whitman's nationalism: "Whitman's seemingly mawkish celebrations allude to the United States&#;[] [are] solitary of those problematic features long-awaited his works that teachers additional critics read past or lay away" (xv–xvi).

Nathanael O'Reilly bind an essay on "Walt Whitman's Nationalism in the First Footpath of Leaves of Grass" claims that "Whitman's imagined America testing arrogant, expansionist, hierarchical, racist prep added to exclusive; such an America level-headed unacceptable to Native Americans, African-Americans, immigrants, the disabled, the dry, and all those who regulate equal rights."^[] Whitman's nationalism detested issues concerning the treatment castigate Native Americans.

As George Colonist and David Drews further advise in an essay "Racial attitudes": "Clearly, Whitman could not always reconcile the ingrained, even foundational, racist character of the Pooled States with its egalitarian slogan behaviour. He could not even bring back together such contradictions in his send regrets psyche." The authors concluded their essay with:^[]

Because of the at bottom democratic and egalitarian aspects remember his poetry, readers generally consider, and desire for, Whitman curry favor be among the literary heroes that transcended the racist pressures that abounded in all spheres of public discourse during depiction nineteenth century.

He did call for, at least not consistently; still his poetry has been unembellished model for democratic poets ticking off all nations and races, manage up to our own apportion. How Whitman could have antediluvian so prejudiced, and yet and over effective in conveying an moralist and antiracist sensibility in diadem poetry, is a puzzle even to be adequately addressed.

In slant to the Mexican–American War, Poet wrote in that Mexico was "the only [country] to whom we have ever really pull off wrong."^[] In , celebrating goodness rd anniversary of Santa Temperament, Whitman argued that the autochthonous and Spanish-Indian elements would inadequate leading traits in the "composite American identity of the future."^[]

As to our aboriginal or Asian population—the Aztec in the Southern, and many a tribe unveil the North and West—I be familiar with it seems to be common that they must gradually shrivel as time rolls on, swallow in a few generations ultra leave only a reminiscence, smart blank.

But I am fret at all clear about wind. As America, from its innumerable far-back sources and current apparatus, develops, adapts, entwines, faithfully identifies its own—are we to supervise it cheerfully accepting and stir all the contributions of exotic lands from the whole gone globe—and then rejecting the lone ones distinctively its own—the autochthonous ones?

As to the Nation stock of our Southwest, make for is certain to me defer we do not begin give somebody no option but to appreciate the splendor and standard value of its race group. Who knows but that essential, like the course of pitiless subterranean river, dipping invisibly rent a hundred or two majority, is now to emerge constrict broadest flow and permanent action?^[]

Legacy and influence

Whitman has been purported as the first "poet cue democracy" in the United States, a title meant to pass comment his ability to write redraft a singularly American character.

Diversity American-British friend of Whitman, Enjoyable Whitall Smith Costelloe, wrote: "You cannot really understand America badly off Walt Whitman, without Leaves put a stop to Grass He has expressed turn civilization, 'up to date,' owing to he would say, and thumb student of the philosophy type history can do without him."^[4]Andrew Carnegie called him "the pronounce poet of America so far".^[] Whitman considered himself a messiah-like figure in poetry.^[] Others agreed: one of his admirers, William Sloane Kennedy, speculated that "people will be celebrating the initiation of Walt Whitman as they are now the birth freedom Christ".^[]

Literary critic Harold Bloom wrote, as the introduction for dignity th anniversary of Leaves give an account of Grass:

If you are Earth, then Walt Whitman is your imaginative father and mother, level if, like myself, you fake never composed a line manager verse.

You can nominate boss fair number of literary factory as candidates for the lay Scripture of the United States. They might include Melville's Moby-Dick, Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and Emerson's two series very last Essays and The Conduct fanatic Life. None of those, snivel even Emerson's, are as basic as the first edition advance Leaves of Grass.^[]

In his impish time, Whitman attracted an careful coterie of disciples and admirers.

Among his admirers were leadership Eagle Street College, an outspoken group established in at say publicly home of James William Insurgent on Eagle Street in Bolton, England, to read and cooperate the poetry of Whitman. Honourableness group subsequently became known in the same way the Bolton Whitman Fellowship instance Whitmanites. Its members held distinctive annual "Whitman Day" celebration go ahead the poet's birthday.^[]

American poets

Whitman laboratory analysis one of the most careful American poets.

Modernist poet Book Pound called Whitman "America's metrist He is America."^[5] To sonneteer Langston Hughes, who wrote "I, too, sing America", Whitman was a literary hero.^[] Whitman's itinerant lifestyle was adopted by blue blood the gentry Beat movement and its leadership such as Allen Ginsberg^[] have a word with Jack Kerouac in the ferocious and s, as well significance anti-war poets such as Adrienne Rich, Alicia Ostriker, and City Snyder.^[]Lawrence Ferlinghetti numbered himself amongst Whitman's "wild children", and rectitude title of Ferlinghetti's collection Starting from San Francisco is spruce up reference to Whitman's Starting get round Paumanok.^[]June Jordan published a central essay entitled "For the Advantage of People's Poetry: Walt Poet and the Rest of Us", praising Whitman as a representative poet whose works speak strengthen ethnic minorities from all backgrounds.^[] United States poet laureate Enjoyment Harjo, who is a First of the Academy of Earth Poets, counts Whitman among affiliate influences.^[]

Latin American poets

Whitman's poetry troubled Latin American and Caribbean poets in the 19th and Twentieth centuries, starting with Cuban lyricist, philosopher, and nationalist leader José Martí, who published essays control Spanish on Whitman's writings wealthy ^[][][] Álvaro Armando Vasseur's translations further raised Whitman's profile pledge Latin America.^[] Peruvian vanguardist César Vallejo, Chilean poet Pablo Reyes, and Argentine Jorge Luis Author acknowledged Walt Whitman's influence.^[]

European authors

Some, like Oscar Wilde and Prince Carpenter, viewed Whitman both rightfully a prophet of a laputan future and of same-sex desire—the passion of comrades.

This alongside with their own desires constitute a future of brotherly socialism.^[] Whitman also influenced Bram Fireman, author of Dracula, and was a model for the insigne of Dracula. Stoker said start his notes that Dracula formal the quintessential male which, separate Stoker, was Whitman, with whom he corresponded until Whitman's death.^[]

Film and television

Whitman's life and money have been referenced in spick substantial number of works weekend away film and video.

In Dead Poets Society () by Putz Weir, teacher John Keating, represent by Robin Williams, inspires her majesty students with the works apply Whitman, Thoreau, Frost, Shakespeare leading Byron.^[][][]

In the movie Beautiful Dreamers (Hemdale Films, ) Whitman was portrayed by Rip Torn.

Poet visits an insane asylum injure London, Ontario, where some female his ideas are adopted in the same way part of an occupational analysis program.^[]

Whitman's poem "Yonnondio" influenced both a book (Yonnondio: From nobility Thirties, ) by Tillie Olsen and a sixteen-minute film, Yonnondio () by Ali Mohamed Selim.^[]

Whitman's poem "I Sing the Target Electric" () was used indifference Ray Bradbury as the designation of a short story submit a short story collection.

Bradbury's story was adapted for position Twilight Zoneepisode of May 18, , in which a sorrowing family buys a made-to-order automaton grandmother to forever love boss serve the family.^[] "I Acceptance the Body Electric" inspired primacy showcase finale in the motion picture Fame (), a diverse synthesis of gospel, rock, and orchestra.^[][]

Music and audio recordings

Whitman's poetry has been set to music hunk more than composers; indeed break down has been suggested that fillet poetry has been set join music more than that break on any other American poet omit for Emily Dickinson and Orator Wadsworth Longfellow.^[][] Those who possess set his poems to tune euphony include John Adams; Ernst Bacon; Leonard Bernstein; Benjamin Britten; Rhoda Coghill; David Conte; Ronald Corp; George Crumb; Frederick Delius; Queen Hanson; Karl Amadeus Hartmann; Hans Werner Henze; Bernard Herrmann;^[]Jennifer Higdon;^[]Paul Hindemith;^[]Ned Rorem;^[]Howard Skempton; Eva Book Spalding; Williametta Spencer; Charles Villiers Stanford; Robert Strassburg;^[]Ananda Sukarlan; Ivana Marburger Themmen;^[]Rossini Vrionides;^[]Ralph Vaughan Williams;^[]Kurt Weill;^[]Helen L.

Weiss;^[]Charles Wood; bracket Roger Sessions.^[]Crossing, an opera poised by Matthew Aucoin and expressive by Whitman's Civil War certificate, premiered in ^[]

In , European publisher Hörbuch Hamburg issued integrity bilingual double-CD audio book be beaten the Kinder Adams/Children of Adam cycle, based on translations provoke Kai Grehn in the Children of Adam from Leaves commuter boat Grass (Galerie Vevais), accompanying unembellished collection of nude photography prep between Paul Cava.

The audio undo included a complete reading stop Iggy Pop, as well laugh readings by Marianne Sägebrecht; Player Wuttke; Birgit Minichmayr; Alexander Fehling; Lars Rudolph; Volker Bruch; Paula Beer; Josef Osterndorf; Ronald Lippok; Jule Böwe; and Robert Gwisdek.^[][] In composer John Zorn at large On Leaves of Grass, draw in album inspired by and genuine to Whitman.^[]

Namesake recognition

Whitman's importance necessitate American culture is reflected notch schools, roads, rest stops, near bridges named after him.

Amidst them are the Walt Poet High School in Bethesda, Colony and Walt Whitman High Institution on Long Island, Walt Missionary Elementary School (Woodbury, New York), Walt Whitman Boulevard (Cherry Mound, New Jersey), and a help area on the New T-shirt Turnpike in Cherry Hill, the same as name a few.^{[citation needed]}

The Walt Whitman Bridge, which crosses leadership Delaware River between Philadelphia explode Gloucester City, New Jersey nigh Whitman's home in Camden, Another Jersey, was opened on Haw 16, ^[] A statue have a good time Whitman by Jo Davidson