Walt Whitman is one of America’s most celebrated poets and authors, known for his works such as ‘Leaves of Grass’ and ‘Song of Myself’. He was born on May 31, 1819 in West Hills, New York on Long Island and was the second of nine children born to Walter Whitman, Sr. and Louisa Van Velsor.
His father was a prominent figure in the local community, employed as a carpenter and house builder. The family resided in a small cottage a few miles from the center of West Hills. In 1823 Walt and his family moved to Brooklyn, where his father owned a small farm. Despite their rural lifestyle, Walt was exposed to literature, art and the sciences from an early age and had such an influence that it would influence the themes of his future works.
When he was eleven, his father lost his job and his family moved to Hempstead, Long Island, where they hoped to start a new life. It was here that he attended school and became fluent in English. His first job was as an apprentice to a printer, which gave him exposure to the world of literature and writing.
As he became increasingly interested in writing and the arts, Whitman realized he was drawn to the democratic ideals of America. By the time he was sixteen, he had already written his first collection of poems and his love of nature was evident in many of his works. His writing caught the attention of various authors and critics who praised him for his unconventional and progressive writing style.
As his career progressed, Walt Whitman moved to Washington D.C. to write for the federal government and later to Camden, New Jersey, where he spent the remainder of his life. It was here that he produced many of his most famous works, such as ‘Drum Taps’ and ‘Democratic Vistas’. His influence on American literature has been widely acknowledged, with many authors citing him as a major influence on their writing.
Today, Walt Whitman is widely recognized for his contributions to American literature, particularly in his depiction of life in the early years of the nation. His presence in American literature is still felt today and his works are widely studied and recognized on a global scale.
Whitman’s Parents
Walter Whitman, Sr. and Louisa Van Velsor were both members of the Quaker community and deeply rooted in the values and traditions of the religion. Walter was a house builder and carpenter while Louisa was raised in a farming family. Their union produced nine children and the Whitman family moved around frequently, settling in various parts of Long Island.
Whitman’s upbringing was strongly associated with the values of his Quaker faith and he later identified many of the ideals of the religion in his poems, such as the idea of universal brotherhood and non-violence. His parents had a significant influence on his writing, and he often referenced moments from his childhood in his works.
Apart from the values of his faith, his parents also exposed Walt to literature, art and science from an early age. His father was a well-read man and often discussed literary works with Walt, which imbibed in him a love of reading and writing.
By the time Walt was sixteen and had moved to Brooklyn, he had already begun writing his own works and was exposed to the world of literature and writing. This combination of his Quaker faith and his love of literature were both major influences on his writing that can be seen in his works.
Whitman’s Early Life and Education
Walt Whitman was born in West Hills, New York on 31 May 1819. He was the second of nine children born to Walter and Louisa and the family resided in a small cottage a few miles away from the center of West Hills.
When he was eleven, the family moved to Brooklyn, where his father owned a small farm. It was here that Walt attended school and had his first exposure to literature and writing, which were both major influences on his future works.
At the age of sixteen, Walt had already written his first collection of poems, although none of them were ever published. He moved to Hempstead, Long Island and soon after he began working as an apprentice to a printer in Brooklyn. This experience allowed him to become even more familiar with the world of writing and the publishing industry.
Walt Whitman continued to write and attempt to publish his works, although early efforts were met with resistance from publishers who deemed his works too controversial. Despite this, he persevered and managed to find success with his works, with numerous authors and critics praising him for his progressive writing style.
Whitman’s Influence on American Literature
Walt Whitman is widely recognized as one of the most significant figures in American literature and as a major influence on many authors and poets. His works often explore the ideals of democracy, freedom and universal brotherhood, themes which were evident in many of his works such as ‘Leaves of Grass’ and ‘Song of Myself’.
His use of free verse, unconventional structure and unique style led to his works being praised by many of his contemporaries. His works continue to be studied today and he is often cited by many authors as a major influence on their writing
Today, Walt Whitman is remembered as one of the most influential writers and poets in American literature. His works have been embraced not only in the United States but also on a global scale and have been translated into many languages.
His influence on American literature and culture cannot be underestimated and his presence is still strongly felt today. He is celebrated for his ability to capture the spirit of the nation and the themes of his works are often still relevant today.
Whitman’s Later Years
In the later stages of his career, Walt Whitman moved to Washington D.C. where he wrote for the federal government. During this time he wrote his collections of Civil War poems, ‘Drum Taps’ and ‘Memoranda During The War’ which were widely acclaimed and praised for their portrait of life in the early days of the nation.
After the war, he moved to Camden, New Jersey, where he resided until his death in 1892. During this period, he produced some of his most famous works, such as ‘Democratic Vistas’ and ‘Good-Bye My Fancy’.
He died of an unknown illness on March 26, 1892, at the age of seventy-two. He was buried at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden and his tombstone is inscribed with a quote from his poem, ‘Song of Myself’, reading: ‘I am large, I contain multitudes.’
His legacy is still felt today, with his works having a major influence on writers and poets from the 19th century to the present day. He is celebrated for his ability to capture the spirit of the nation and for his progressive writing style.
Whitman’s Legacy
Walt Whitman’s influence on American literature has been far-reaching and his works continue to be studied and appreciated today. His presence in American literature is still felt, particularly in his progressive writing style and unique portrayal of life in the early years of the nation. He was a major influence on many authors and poets and his works have been translated into many languages.
His legacy is remembered not only through his works, but also in the numerous monuments erected in his honor. He has a bridge in New York City named after him, as well as a statue in his hometown of West Hills. Numerous festivals and organizations celebrating his life and works have also been established throughout the United States.
Today, Walt Whitman is remembered as one of the most influential writers and poets in American literature and is widely recognized for his contributions to the nation’s culture and literature. His works have been embraced by readers around the world and continue to be beloved for generations.
The Running Tour Of Walt Whitman’s Life
The Walt Whitman Running Tour honors the memory of the poet and celebrates his life, works and legacy on a 4.5-mile trail that take runners through the sites of his childhood homes in Long Island, New York. The tour includes stops at sites, like the Whitman Family farm, the Whitman Technical High School and the Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site.
This annual event attracts runners from all over the United States, eager to honor America’s most beloved poet. Runners can experience a guided tour of the sites in the comfort of their own vehicle, taking in the sights and sounds of the area and learning more about Whitman’s life and work. The tour culminates at Whitman’s birthplace, where a special ceremony and celebration is held in his honor.
The Walt Whitman Running Tour has been held annually since 1995 and continues to be a popular event amongst runners and Whitman fans alike. It provides an opportunity to experience the areas where Whitman was born and raised, as well as gain a greater insight into his life, work and legacy.
Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site
Walt Whitman was born in West Hills, Long Island, New York on May 31, 1819. His childhood home and family farm have been preserved as a landmark and open to the public. The Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site serves as a memorial to Whitman and contains many artifacts that belonged to him, such as his writing desk, manuscripts and a lock of his hair.
Visitors of the Historic Site can experience a guided tour of the house, grounds and other features, including the writing desk Whitman used to compose his works. The building also houses a permanent exhibition, ‘The Life and Legacy of Walt Whitman’, which details the poet’s life and works.
The site is maintained by the Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Whitman and his works. Through their tireless work, the Association has helped to keep alive the legacy of one of America’s greatest poets.
Conclusion
Walt Whitman is widely known as one of America’s most influential poets and authors. Born in West Hills, New York, on 31 May 1819, he was exposed to the art of writing from an early age. His works often explore the ideals of democracy, freedom and universal brotherhood, and his influence on American literature can still be felt today.
He is celebrated for his ability to capture the spirit of the nation and his works are still studied and appreciated on a global scale. He has numerous monuments, festivals and organizations dedicated to his legacy and life as well as a State Historic Site where visitors can learn more about his life and works.
