Early Life and Upbringing
Walter Whitman was born on May 31, 1819 in West Hills, New York, the second of nine children. His parents, Walter Whitman Sr. and Louisa Van Velsor, were farmers with aristocratic roots in both Holland and the United States. Whitman Sr. was a strong influence on his son, teaching him the value of physical labor, self-reliance, and republican democracy. As a child, Whitman was educated primarily at home, and he found solace in books, especially those about American patriotism and nature.
Young Walt was a voracious reader, consuming novels and poetry from his father’s large library. When he was 11, he apprenticed at a local newspaper, setting in motion a lifelong interest in journalism. At the age of 16, Whitman moved to New York City to live and work, supporting himself through various manual labor jobs.
Teaching Career
In 1839, Whitman secured a job teaching at a boarding school in Hempstead New York. His students found him fairly strict and demanding, but ultimately encouraging. Whitman took his teaching career seriously; while teaching, he wrote textbooks and contributed articles to local newspapers.
In 1840, he took up a position as the editor of the Long Island Courier and soon discovered a love of writing. He began writing some of his earliest poetry during his time as editor, contributing to the publication a number of pieces that demonstrated his unique style. Although Whitman continued to teach until 1841, he resigned to pursue writing full-time.
Poetry and Profound Influence
In 1855, at the age of 36, Whitman published the first edition of Leaves of Grass, his most famous work. The publication was controversial for its direct language and bold celebration of the individual. It also illuminated Whitman’s philosophy of democratic individualism, his love of nature, democracy, and freedom.
Leaves of Grass was met with critical acclaim and established Whitman’s place in American literary culture, making him one of the most beloved and influential poets in the country. He continued to write poetry throughout his life, often taking up periodicals to challenge social conventions and promote his own personal philosophy.
Personal Life and Later Years
Whitman was a vociferous traveler throughout his life, often taking long trips by himself or with friends. Despite his popularization of free love, Whitman’s own romantic life is shrouded in mystery. No formal partner is known, although Florence Finch Kelly and Emilie MacLeish were two of his closest and most important relationships.
In 1873 and 1874, Whitman suffered a stroke. He continued to write after the stroke, although in lesser quantities and with less flair. He passed away on March 26, 1892, in Camden, New Jersey.
Literary Impact and Legacy
Although Whitman’s early works were met with mixed reactions and controversy, his contributions to poetry and American culture are impossible to understate. Leaves of Grass is widely considered one of the most influential works of 19th century American literature. His influence can be seen in the works of nearly every important American writer, from Emily Dickinson to William Faulkner.
@University of Michigan Professor Michael Warren has said that Whitman made “an enormous contribution… to our understanding of how the language of a mature democracy ought to be ordered and what it ought to sound like.”
Connection with the Civil War
The Civil War was an important period in Whitman’s life and career. As the war raged on, Whitman traveled to the warfront, carrying with him medicine, supplies, and poems for injured soldiers. He wrote a collection of poems about the war, Drum-Taps, which was a poetic attempt to capture the national trauma of the bloodshed.
Whitman was said to have remarked that he “had the camp sickness”, a kind of post-traumatic stress disorder common to soldiers in wartime. Furthermore, many of his later poems reflect the experience of war, with themes such as mourning and heroism.
Appreciation For Nature and Nature Writing
Whitman was strongly inspired by nature and the outdoors. His frequent travels connected him with the natural beauty of the American landscape; he often incorporated this scenery into his writings. He was also an avid nature writer and proponent of conservation, advocating for the “greatest and supreme beauty of the landscapes of our native America”.
Furthermore, many of Whitman’s narrative poems draw upon his love of nature, weaving in stories of exploration and discovery. In some of his most masterful works, such as “Song of Myself” and “Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking,” Whitman expresses a profound appreciation for nature.
Nationalism and Patriotism
A running theme in Whitman’s writings was national pride. He was a passionate advocate for the potential of the United States, and even many of his non-national poems still sparked patriotism. For example, in “A Song of Joys”, Whitman uses vivid descriptions to illustrate his love of the nation: “Strong, sane, formidable and pensive,/Dwelling securely night and day high on the ancient forest cabon”.
Whitman also drew upon nationalism in some of his longer works. In Democratic Vistas, he spoke of creating a “genuine national literature” and argued that America should develop its own artistic style. He also argued for a greater sense of national identity, declaring that “The identity of American literature is not yet complete.”
Critical Reception and Celebration
Whitman’s works were embraced by modern poets, who declared it an inventive breakthrough. His supporters held him up as a revolutionary voice in American literature, and some argued that Whitman was an important literary figure in a realm all his own. Their enthusiasm helped shape the path for other writers who also sought to challenge conventional views of beauty and nature.
Today, Walt Whitman is celebrated as one of America’s most influential writers. His works continue to be read and studied, and he still holds a place of prominence in American literature. He remains an enduring reminder of the power of the written word, and of the importance of celebrating individuality, exploration, and nature.
