Walt Whitman (1819-1892), born in West Hills, New York, United States, revolutionized American poetry through expansive free verse and celebration of democratic ideals and the human body.

Major Works

• Leaves of Grass (1855) - his masterwork, continuously revised throughout his life
• Song of Myself (1855) - an extended poem exploring individual identity and connection
• When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd (1865) - elegy for President Abraham Lincoln
• Democratic Vistas (1871) - philosophical essays on American democracy and literature

Whitman abandoned traditional poetic meter and rhyme schemes, instead employing long, flowing lines called free verse—a technique that transformed modern poetry. He used anaphora and cataloging to create rhythmic, incantatory effects that mimicked natural speech patterns.

His work faced considerable controversy due to its frank treatment of sexuality and the body. The 1882 edition of Leaves of Grass was banned in Boston, generating public debate about artistic freedom. In 1884, The American Institute recognized Whitman's contributions to literature with an official commendation. His democratic vision and experimental form established him as a foundational figure in American literary history.

Reference:

Wikipedia: Walt Whitman

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