Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist, journalist, and novelist who lived from 1819 to 1892. Often recognized as the father of free verse, he bridged the literary movements of transcendentalism and realism in his writing. His 1855 poetry collection, Leaves of Grass, remains his most notable work, though it faced significant controversy during his lifetime due to its overt themes of sensuality and sexuality.