How did Walt Whitman's creativity vary over time?

Whitman saw himself as a new poet, the “true” American poet, casting himself off from the literary canon. However, many different influences flowed into his work. read more

Walt Whitman wrote one book of poems, titled Leaves of Grass. What is so unique about that book of poems is that it was published in various volumes at different stages of his life. In each edition Walt Whitman updated the poems so that some of them actually were published with different alterations, almost different poems at times. read more

Walt Whitman was born on May 31, 1819, the second son of Walter Whitman, a housebuilder, and Louisa Van Velsor. The family, which consisted of nine children, lived in Brooklyn and Long Island in the 1820s and 1830s. read more

Walt Whitman, in full Walter Whitman, (born May 31, 1819, West Hills, Long Island, New York, U.S.—died March 26, 1892, Camden, New Jersey), American poet, journalist, and essayist whose verse collection Leaves of Grass, first published in 1855, is a landmark in the history of American literature. read more

Walt Whitman is an example of originality and creativity, introducing artistic bravery to try new ideas in stylistic approach as well as thematic concerns. An advocate of change using the only tool available to him to bring about the desired change, he is truly, a man of influence. read more