Known as the "Father of Free Verse," Walt Whitman is a pivotal figure in American literature and a sage of Camden. Poetry written in his revolutionary style identified him as a genuine American voice and contributed to the formation of American culture. This piece is an attempt to trace Whitman's rise from obscurity to that of a major literary figure.

Beginnings in Poverty and the Making of a Poet

Whitman was born to poor parents on May 31st, 1819, in the town of West Hills, New York. Due to financial difficulties, he was unable to continue his education past the basic level, so he taught himself through extensive reading. In the beginning of his career, he had a number of different positions, including those of teacher and journalist (and, briefly, publisher of his own newspaper).

Creating Modern Poetry with "Leaves of Grass"

The revolutionary volume of poems by Walt Whitman, "Leaves of Grass," was published by Whitman himself in 1855. The work was groundbreaking for its use of free verse, a style of poetry that does not rely on regular meter or rhyme. Its unconventional structure and forthright portrayal of sexuality caused readers to react strongly either positively or negatively.

A Life's Work, "Leaves of Grass"

Writing "Leaves of Grass" took Whitman a lifetime. Over the course of his life, he added to and updated the collection until it contained over 400 poems. The best known of these is "Song of Myself," which continues to be an important part of American literature because of the way it celebrates both uniqueness and community.

There was "Drum-Taps" throughout the Civil War Years.

To express his feelings about the Civil War, Whitman wrote "Drum-Taps," another of his famous poems. One of his most well-known poems, "O Captain! My Captain!" is a lament for President Abraham Lincoln that was inspired by his time as a volunteer nurse during the war.

Influence and Reminiscences

Whitman has had an incalculable impact on American literature. His experimental style inspired subsequent poets, and his focus on uniqueness, nature, democracy, and freedom spoke to the heart of a new nation. Writers all across the world have cited his works as an inspiration.