Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman (1819–1892) was an American poet, essayist, and journalist who also wrote two novels. He is best known for Leaves of Grass, first published in 1855 and revised by him until his death, a collection that aimed to reach the common person with an American epic. Born on Long Island, he worked as a journalist, teacher, and government clerk, and during the Civil War he worked in Washington hospitals caring for the wounded. His poem "O Captain! My Captain!" followed Abraham Lincoln's assassination.