Column: A Writer You Should Know About: Walt Whitman by Night Hope at All poetry

"Walter Whitman (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist, journalist and humanist. He was a part of the transition between Trancendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. His work was very controversial in its time, particularly his poetry collection "Leaves of Grass", which was described as obscene for its overt sexuality.

Born on Long Island, Whitman worked as a journalist, a teacher, a government clerk, and a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War in addition to publishing his poetry. Early in his career, he also produced a temperance novel, "Franklin Evans" (1842). Whitman's major work, "Leaves of Grass", was first published in 1855 with his own money. The work was an attempt at reaching out to the common person with an American epic. He continued expanding and revising it until his death in 1892. After a stroke towards the end of his life, he moved to Camden, New Jersey where his health further declined. He died at age 72 and his funeral became a public spectacle."

Source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walt_Whitman

More information and links to his writing:

http://www.whitmanarchive.org/

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/126

http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/wwhitman.htm

http://etext.virginia.edu/whitman/

http://www.waltwhitman.org/

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/whitman/

http://www.americanpoems.com/poets/waltwhitman/

http://www.poetry-archive.com/w/whitman_walt.html

http://www.poemhunter.com/walt-whitman/

http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/walt_whitman

http://www.internal.org/list_poems.phtml?authorID=2

http://www.blackcatpoems.com/w/walt_whitman.html

Various poems inspired by famous people:

http://allpoetry.com/list/32270-Inspired-by-Famous-People

My columns on various writers and painters:

http://allpoetry.com/column/by/Night%20Hope

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1 - 11 of 11

By me, right now

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aychellus
November 7
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ah! Walt has always been a favourite of mine , thanks for the links. just the thing an evening with walt!!
transcendental baby
November 7
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I feel my body singin' electric already! I do luv me some Whitman sampler!
- Night Hope
  November 7
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  I'm also plannin' on doin' one on Emerson one of these days, in your honor, Madame Librarian.
Laura Lamarca
November 7
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I emanated Walt once too.
- Night Hope
  November 7
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  Why am I not surprised by that???
- - Laura Lamarca
    November 7
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    haha.
    it's how i overcome writers' block. when i can't write, i just emanate someone who could. it seems to work well for me.
  - - Night Hope
      November 7
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      I just pretend I'm Emily Dickinson. I've often been accused of carrying her DNA, sooo... G'night, Laura.
Stuart Higginson
November 7
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Another great piece of introduction and enlightenment, Wanda, though Walt Whitman is likely the most known in this series
- Night Hope
  November 7
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  One reason I posted this one was that, not so long ago, AP did a poll and over 70% of the people who responded had never heard of him, Stuart. It made me wonder just what they ARE teaching in school these days. Sigh.
Rose Angel
November 7
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Popping in to say...Thanks so much again, Wanda. I have been told some of my writings are a little like Walt.....You are a dear to go to all the trouble so we can research the links!
- Night Hope
  November 7
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  You're most welcome, Rose Angel. I tried to include some examples of his work, but of course the formatting would not cooperate again. I think I shall just leave the links and allow others to search out the writings themselves. I'm glad you're enjoying this series of columns I'm doing.