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Walt Whitman - Biography

Biography a Whitman: Life, Creativity and Influence on American Literature

Walt Whitman is a name associated with the American lyrical genius and one of the most influential poets in the history of the United States. His work, including the famous collection of poems "Leaves of Grass," has become a symbol of American democracy, freedom and civic identity. In this biography, we look at the key moments of his life, his influence on American literature and his most famous works.

Walt was born on May 31, 1819, in West Hills, New York, to a Quaker family. His childhood was modest, but rich in books and knowledge. Already at an early age, he showed an interest in literature and began to write poetry. His grandfather, who was an activist during the American Revolution, had a huge influence on Walt and inspired his civic activism.

Walt began his career as a teacher and journalist. He worked for various newspapers and publications, but his real passion was always poetry. In 1855 he published his first collection of poems, "Songs of Self-Love," which became his life work and poetic manifesto.

"Songs of Self-Love" was a revolutionary work of its time. In them, Whitman expressed the idea of harmony with nature, self-awareness and individual freedom. His poems were distinguished by their free form and candor, in which he described sexuality, death, nature and human feelings. This collection became a classic of American poetry and has since been reprinted and translated into many languages.

Walt was a supporter of the idea of "self-love," which meant love and respect for oneself and for humanity as a whole. He believed in harmony between man and nature, and in the importance of individuality and freedom of expression. His philosophy was inspired by transcendentalism and romanticism, but he gave it a unique American dimension.