WALT WHITMAN American poet Father of Free Verse

WALT WHITMAN American poet Father of “Free Verse”

Early Background • Born May 31, 1819 in West Hills, Long Island • Working class family; father was a carpenter • 9 children in family • Family moved to Brooklyn. Father wanted opportunities offered in city

Early Education • Attended Brooklyn public schools with children of poorer families (rich families sent their children to private schools) • Walt felt the education was uninspiring and mediocre. • Age 11 he leaves formal school. He educates himself by visiting museums, libraries, and attending lectures.

Early Career • At age 11 he works as an apprentice for a lawyer. Has access to a circulating library from which he continues his education. • Age 12 he becomes apprentice at a newspaper and starts having his writings published. • Age 14 the family moves back to Long Island but he stays and lives alone in Brooklyn to continue his newspaper and printing career. • By age 17, two major New York City fires destroy publishing businesses and he is forced to move back in with his family in Long Island.

Some Unhappy Years • Tough economic times and lack of employment forces Walt to work as a teacher. He disliked the work and was very unhappy so he often turned to drinking. • After 5 years he starts his own newspaper, but it only lasts a year. He decides to quit teaching permanently. • Moves to New York City to write fiction for newspapers and magazines. Also working as journalist. He is happier but not making much money.

An Unexpected Opportunity • By chance he meets two men starting a newspaper in New Orleans. He convinces them to have him be the editor. They pay his expenses to move to New Orleans. • His journey widened his understanding of our nation. • In New Orleans he enjoyed the diversity of the people and the culture. • He lasted only three months before he was let go. Went back to Brooklyn to start his own newspaper.

A Poet Emerges • His own newspaper allowed him to publish more of his writings, primarily his poetry. • His poetry was at first influenced by British and European writers. His own experiences and view of our nation molded his style. • In 1850, he publishes his first edition of Leaves of Grass, a collection of 12 poems.

Leaves of Grass • Overlying theme of the collection of poems is the “merge” of the individual to overcome moral, political, and psychological boundaries. • Second edition published in 1856. • Famous poems include “I sing the body electric” and “Song of Myself. ” • Poems celebrated the individual and had optimistic outlook. • He sent a copy to Emerson who wrote a letter back praising his work.

Impact of Civil War • After the war breaks out, he moves to Washington DC. He aids wounded soldiers and victims of war. • Lives as a pauper and often has people sending him money to survive. • He still works on new editions of Leaves of Grass.

Later in Life • Goes to visit his ailing, widowed mother in Camden, New Jersey, at his brother’s house. • Suffers a stroke and decides to stay there for the remainder of his life. • Buys a house and continues to write. Works on his 1882 edition of Leaves of Grass. • Dies on March 26, 1892.