Leaves of Grass

The only prominent reviews of Walt Whitman's first publication, Leaves of Grass (1855), were extremely enthusiastic about the poet's potential. Little wonder - Whitman wrote them himself. Although Leaves of Grass received little attention when first released, Whitman published expanded editions of the volume, eventually gaining broad critical acclaim as such authors as Swinburne and Stevenson praised his work. Whitman's poetry is distinguished by his sensuous celebrations of man, balanced by American patriotism and Transcendentalistic advocation of simplicity and individual spirituality. Whitman enjoyed a long career as a poet and journalist, publishing in 1889 a final, comprehensive edition of Leaves of Grass, which included all of his previously published work.