Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist, and journalist, best known for his groundbreaking work, "Leaves of Grass." First published in 1855, this collection of poetry introduced free verse to American literature and celebrated the human spirit and individualism. Whitman's other notable work includes "O Captain! My Captain!" (1865), a poignant elegy to President Abraham Lincoln following his assassination. During the American Civil War, Whitman served as a volunteer nurse, an experience that profoundly influenced his writing. His efforts to capture the American experience in his poetry distinguished him from his contemporaries. Whitman died in Camden, New Jersey, on March 26, 1892.