http://www.iath.virginia.
edu/whitman
For
more information about Walt Whitman visit these sites:
http://www.iath.virginia.edu/whitman
http://www.liglobal.com/walt/waltbio.shtml
|
http://www.iath.virginia. edu/whitman |
Walt Whitman was one of America's most influential and innovative poets.
He was born in West Hills, Long Island, New York on May 31, 1819.
Walt had seven siblings, and grew up with a stern father and affectionate
mother. By the age of 11 he had finished his formal education (much
more than either of his parents had received.) He was left by his
family and had jobs such as a newspaper printer and a school teacher in
his late teens. In 1855 Whitman published his first edition of Leaves
of Grass, a short book of 12 long poems. It was not very successful.
In the Civil War, Whitman roamed the streets of New York, depressed.
Later he secured a Civil Service post and made almost 600 hospital visits.
He wrote many poems about his experiences and "O Captain, O Captain" was
about the nation mourning for the death of Abraham Lincoln. He published
his wartime poems in the 1867 edition of Leaves of Grass.
Whitman filled his later years with travel, and revising Leaves of Grass.
The
last edition of Leaves of Grass was in 1892, the year of his death.
For
more information about Walt Whitman visit these sites:
|