Walt Whitman Brief Biography
Walt Whitman
Walter "Walt" Whitman was an American poet, essayist, journalist and humanist. He was born on May 31, 1819, the second son of nine children, of Walter Whitman, and Louisa Van Velsor. They lived in Brooklyn and Long Island in the 1820s and 1830s.
At the age of twelve, Whitman began to learn the printer's trade. Largely self-taught, he read voraciously, becoming acquainted with the works of Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, and the Bible.
Whitman worked as a printer in New York City until a devastating fire in the printing district demolished the industry. In 1836, at the age of 17, he began his career as teacher, which lasted until 1841, when he turned to journalism as a full-time career.
He founded a weekly newspaper, Long-Islander, and later edited a number of Brooklyn and New York papers. In the fall of 1848, he founded a "free soil" newspaper, the Brooklyn Freeman, and continued to develop the unique style of poetry. He was concerned with politics throughout his life and opposed the extension of slavery generally, although he didn’t support the equality of races.
In 1855, Whitman published the first edition of Leaves of Grass, consisting of twelve untitled poems. During his subsequent career, he continued to publish several more editions of the book. His work was very controversial in its time, and it was described as obscene for its overt sexuality.
Whitman's poetic work is generally prose-like and he’s is often labeled as the father of free verse. He also used unusual images and symbols, including rotting leaves, tufts of straw, and debris. He also openly wrote about death and sexuality, including prostitution, in fact, Whitman's sexuality is often discussed alongside his poetry. Though biographers continue to debate his sexuality, he is usually described as either homosexual or bisexual in his feelings and attractions.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Whitman wrote freelance journalism and patriotic poems, and stayed working in the hospitals
Walter "Walt" Whitman was an American poet, essayist, journalist and humanist. He was born on May 31, 1819, the second son of nine children, of Walter Whitman, and Louisa Van Velsor. They lived in Brooklyn and Long Island in the 1820s and 1830s.
At the age of twelve, Whitman began to learn the printer's trade. Largely self-taught, he read voraciously, becoming acquainted with the works of Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, and the Bible.
Whitman worked as a printer in New York City until a devastating fire in the printing district demolished the industry. In 1836, at the age of 17, he began his career as teacher, which lasted until 1841, when he turned to journalism as a full-time career.
He founded a weekly newspaper, Long-Islander, and later edited a number of Brooklyn and New York papers. In the fall of 1848, he founded a "free soil" newspaper, the Brooklyn Freeman, and continued to develop the unique style of poetry. He was concerned with politics throughout his life and opposed the extension of slavery generally, although he didn’t support the equality of races.
In 1855, Whitman published the first edition of Leaves of Grass, consisting of twelve untitled poems. During his subsequent career, he continued to publish several more editions of the book. His work was very controversial in its time, and it was described as obscene for its overt sexuality.
Whitman's poetic work is generally prose-like and he’s is often labeled as the father of free verse. He also used unusual images and symbols, including rotting leaves, tufts of straw, and debris. He also openly wrote about death and sexuality, including prostitution, in fact, Whitman's sexuality is often discussed alongside his poetry. Though biographers continue to debate his sexuality, he is usually described as either homosexual or bisexual in his feelings and attractions.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Whitman wrote freelance journalism and patriotic poems, and stayed working in the hospitals