Walt Whitman (1819 – 1892) was an American poet, essayist, and journalist, widely regarded as the father of free verse. His groundbreaking poetry collection, Leaves of Grass (1855), revolutionized American literature by embracing themes of democracy, individualism, and the human experience. His work blended transcendentalism and realism, making him one of the most influential poets in literary history.
Born in Long Island and raised in Brooklyn, Whitman left school at 11 to help support his family. He worked as a printer, teacher, and journalist, eventually editing the Brooklyn Eagle. After losing his job due to his anti-slavery views, he traveled and continued writing, developing his distinctive poetic voice. In 1855, he self-published Leaves of Grass, a collection of bold, free-verse poems that celebrated the common man and nature. Though controversial for its sensuality, it earned praise from Ralph Waldo Emerson.
During the Civil War, Whitman worked in Washington, D.C., volunteering as a nurse for wounded soldiers. Deeply moved by the war, he wrote some of his most famous poems, including O Captain! My Captain! mourning the death of Abraham Lincoln. His later works reflected themes of loss, unity, and the evolving American identity.
After suffering a stroke, Whitman spent his final years in Camden, New Jersey, where he continued revising Leaves of Grass. He died in 1892, leaving a literary legacy that shaped modern poetry. Today, he is celebrated as "America’s poet", with his influence seen in generations of writers who followed.