Walt Whitman (1819–1892) was an American poet, essayist, and journalist, celebrated as the father of free verse. Born in West Hills, New York, he grew up in a working-class family, leaving school at 11 to support his siblings. His early jobs as a printer, teacher, and newspaper editor exposed him to the diversity of American life, shaping his belief in democracy and the common man.
In 1855, Whitman self-published *Leaves of Grass*, a collection of 12 poems that defied traditional rhyme and meter. The opening poem, \"Song of Myself,\" became his manifesto, celebrating individualism, nature, and the interconnectedness of all beings. He revised and expanded *Leaves of Grass* nine times over 37 years, eventually including over 400 poems. Critics initially dismissed his work as vulgar, but Ralph Waldo Emerson praised its \"originality and boldness,\" hailing Whitman as \"the poet of America.\"
During the Civil War, Whitman worked as a nurse in Washington, D.C., caring for wounded soldiers. This experience inspired profound poems like \"When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom\'d,\" an elegy for Abraham Lincoln. His later works, such as \"O Captain! My Captain!\" also honored the fallen president, blending personal grief with national loss.
Whitman\'s poetry challenged societal norms, addressing topics like sexuality, spirituality, and the human body with unflinching honesty. His use of colloquial language and long, free-flowing lines mirrored the vastness of the American landscape and the spirit of its people. Themes of equality, inclusivity, and the unity of all life permeate his work, making him a symbol of American optimism and self-expression.
By the end of his life, Whitman’s reputation had grown internationally. Today, *Leaves of Grass* is considered a landmark of American literature, influencing poets from Federico García Lorca to Allen Ginsberg. His legacy endures in his celebration of democracy as a living, breathing ideal, rooted in the everyday experiences of ordinary people.
Whitman once wrote, \"I celebrate myself, and sing myself,\" a line that encapsulates his belief in the divine potential of each individual. His work remains a testament to the power of诗歌to reflect and shape a nation’s soul.