Poet

Walt Whitman

1819-1892

Walter ‘Walt’ Whitman was an American journalist, essayist and poet. Commonly known as ‘the father of free verse’, Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon. Influenced by humanism, Whitman incorporated both realism and transcendentalism into his works. At the time of its publication, his collection ‘Leaves of Grass’ (published with Whitman’s own money in 1855) was highly controversial, described as ‘obscene’ and ‘overtly sexual’. Whitman worked as a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War, he was also a teacher and a government clerk. After suffering from a stroke, Whitman move to New Jersey and continued to expand and revise ‘Leaves of Grass’ until his death aged 72 in 1892.

Poems

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Readings

Walt Whitman 'The Dalliance of the Eagles' read by Brian Cox
Song of Myself read by Eddie Redmayne and Elizabeth McGovern
O Captain! My Captain! read by Elizabeth McGovern
O Captain! My Captain! read by Eddie Redmayne
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Walt Whitman 'The Dalliance of the Eagles' read by Brian Cox
Song of Myself read by Eddie Redmayne and Elizabeth McGovern
O Captain! My Captain! read by Elizabeth McGovern
O Captain! My Captain! read by Eddie Redmayne
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