Considering the novelty and power of Walt Whitman’s liberating appeal to a broad swath of society, it is not surprising that he awakened and engendered strong devotion from a plethora of followers and devotees. This book traces the activities of some of his most avid associates: Anne Gilchrist, John Addington Symonds, Horace Traubel, R.M. Bucke, John Burroughs, Edward Carpenter—even Oscar Wilde. Additionally, Michael Robertson skillfully explains how a small group of true believers elevated Whitman from being “America’s greatest” poet to prophet. (In case you need to be reminded of the vivacity of Whitman’s poetry, a new audio recording features Ed Begley, Sr., reciting selections from Leaves of Grass complete with whoops, hollers, and beating drums.)
Reading
Worshipping Walt
Considering the novelty and power of Walt Whitman’s liberating appeal to a broad swath of society, it is not surprising that he awakened and engendered strong devotion from a plethora of followers and devotees. This book traces the activities of some of his most avid associates: Anne Gilchrist, John Addington Symonds, Horace Traubel, R.M. Bucke, John Burroughs, Edward Carpenter—even Oscar Wilde. Additionally, Michael Robertson skillfully explains how a small group of true believers elevated Whitman from being “America’s greatest” poet to prophet. (In case you need to be reminded of the vivacity of Whitman’s poetry, a new audio recording features Ed Begley, Sr., reciting selections from Leaves of Grass complete with whoops, hollers, and beating drums.)