Poet Walt Whitman, circa 1888, sepia-tone photo print. Created in the early 1990's for The American Heritage Galleries. Printed on cardstock, in original gallery packaging. 11" x 14". Walter Whitman (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist & journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism & realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. His work was controversial in its time, particularly his 1855 poetry collection Leaves of Grass, which was described as obscene at the time, for its overt sensuality. Whitman's own life came under scrutiny for his presumed homosexuality.