Called the "Bard of Democracy" and considered one of America's most influential poets, Walt Whitman was born … Walt Whitman (1819–1892), the most original of American poets, was born in West Hills, Long Island, educated in the Brooklyn Public Schools, and apprenticed to a printer. Background and Early Years. “O Captain! The poem was first published without sections as the first of twelve untitled poems in the first (1855) edition of Leaves of Grass.The first edition was published by Whitman at his own expense. In the second (1856) edition, Whitman used the title "Poem of Walt Whitman, an American," which was shortened to "Walt Whitman" for the third (1860) edition. He was an ardent supporter of democracy, and saw both abolition and slavery as threats to the great American experiment. Whitman's "catalogs," or lists, are used in many of his poems to indicate the breadth of types of people, situation, or objects in a particular poem. Whitman has been one of the most influential writers in American history. Born on May 31, 1819, Walt Whitman is the author of Leaves of Grass and, along with Emily Dickinson, is considered one of … Later in life, he took up nursing wounded soldiers, about which he was very passionate (Baym 22). Walt Whitman seems carefree and easy going, both in his life and his poems. This poem is in the public domain. The Walt Whitman Archive is a comprehensive resource about Whitman's life and work, co-directed by Dr. Ed Folsom and Dr. Kenneth M. Price. “Walt Whitman: Selected Poems 1855-1892”, p.184, St. Martin's Press 6 Copy quote The earth is rude, silent, incomprehensible at first; Be not discouraged - keep on - there are divine things, well envelop'd; I swear to you there are divine things more beautiful than words can tell. Walt Whitman saw his poetry as the bible of a new American religion, and himself as the prophet. Publication history. Walt Whitman best known for his use of metaphors and free verse was born on May 31, 1819, in New York. About Walt Whitman. — Walt Whitman, "The Dresser" (1867, later titled "The Wound-Dresser") ... Just as the book was going to press, he inserted a short new poem about Lincoln's death. Whitman grew up in the working class in a family of Quakers (Baym 20). My Captain!” is an elegy written by Walt Whitman in 1865 to commemorate the death of President Abraham Lincoln. Regarded as one of America's greatest poets, Walt Whitman joins the ranks of Dante, Shakespeare, Virgil and Homer in terms of artistry and exceptional skill in the written words. Among his works are Leaves of Grass and Memoranda During the War, which describes the poet's experiences while nursing Civil War soldiers. As a youth he taught in a country school, and later went into journalism in New York, Brooklyn, and New Orleans. He worked many jobs throughout his life, including working for many magazines and printers. 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