Description
The groundbreaking first edition of the poetry collection that transformed American literature and introduced Walt Whitman's bold new voice.
Leaves of Grass first appeared in 1855 as a revolutionary work that challenged traditional ideas of poetry, language, individuality, and the relationship between the self and the world. Written and published by Walt Whitman himself, this original edition introduced readers to a new style of American poetry marked by expansive free verse, celebration of ordinary life, and profound reflections on democracy, nature, identity, and human connection.
This first edition contains the earliest form of Whitman's poetic vision, including the original version of Song of Myself and other poems that would later be revised and expanded in subsequent editions. Its innovative structure, powerful imagery, and celebration of human experience established Whitman as one of the most important voices in American literature.
A landmark of nineteenth-century poetry, Leaves of Grass continues to inspire readers with its themes of freedom, equality, individuality, and the shared experiences that unite humanity. This edition preserves the original 1855 text that introduced one of America's greatest poets to the world.