Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman was an American poet, born on 31 May 1819 in West Hills on Long Island. His parents were Walter Whitman and Louisa Van Velsor. His father owned a large farmland which was sold out earlier his birth, so his childhood was in sufferings. Atthe 11 years of age, he left formal schooling. He did several jobs, as a printer, journalist, teacher and a government clerk. In his poems he expressed over freedom, individuality, sensuality, divinity and nature. Leaves of Grass was Whitman's most well-known work, first published in 1855 by Whitman himself, initially it was composition of 12 poems. His few significant poems were-'Song of Myself' and 'I Sing the Body Electric' O Captain! My Captain!. He focused on humanism, rationalism and democratic thoughts. He emphasized on gains as well loss also. Due to his incredible writing he is popularly called as 'father of free verse' and 'bard of democracy'. He was died on 26 March 1892. His notable works-Franklin Evans, The Half Breed, Life and Adventures of Jack Engle, Drum- Taps, Leaves of Grass, etc. Read More Read Less