Which US poet wrote a collection of poems called Leaves of Grass, first published in 1855?
Leaves of Grass Leaves of Grass Leaves of Grass is a poetry collection by the American poet Walt Whitman (1819–1892). Although the first edition was published in 1855, Whitman spent most of his professional life writing and re-writing "Leaves of Grass", revising it multiple times until his death. This resulted in vastly different editions over four decades—the first, a small book of twelve poems and the last, a compilation of over 400. The poems of "Leaves of Grass" are loosely connected, with each representing Whitman's celebration of his philosophy of life and humanity. This book is notable for its discussion of delight in
Leaves of Grass American poetry. "Leaves of Grass" has its genesis in an essay called "The Poet" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, published in 1844, which expressed the need for the United States to have its own new and unique poet to write about the new country's virtues and vices. Whitman, reading the essay, consciously set out to answer Emerson's call as he began working on the first edition of "Leaves of Grass". Whitman, however, downplayed Emerson's influence, stating, "I was simmering, simmering, simmering; Emerson brought me to a boil". On May 15, 1855, Whitman registered the title "Leaves of Grass" with the clerk