About Whitman
"My spirit has pass'd in compassion and determination around the whole Earth...I think some divine rapport has equalised me with them."
Walt Whitman was born on May 31, 1819 in West Hills, Long Island, New York.
Considered one of America's most influential poets, Whitman aimed to write poetry and essays reflecting the potential freedoms to be found in America through praising the land, body, and soul.
In 1855 he self-published the collection Leaves of Grass, a highly controversial piece now considered one of the finest works to be produced during this time. Whitman later worked as a volunteer nurse during the Civil War, writing the collection Drum Taps (1865) in connection to the experiences of war-torn soldiers. Having continued to produce new editions of Leaves of Grass along with original works, Whitman died on March 26, 1892 in Camden, New Jersey. (biography.com)
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Walt Whitman can be classified as a transcendentalist in terms of the themes in his poetry. Whitman's transcendentalism revolves around nature, the relationship between the body and the soul, and his motherland of America.
The Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, a State Historic Site listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is fully restored and offers tours and events to celebrate his literary contributions to Long Island, the world, and beyond. To learn more about the WWBA, click here.