Published to coincide with the centenary of Walt Whitman's death, this biography looks at one of America's greatest poets. Born on Long Island in 1819, Whitman first started work at the age of eleven - working his way up as an apprentice printer, wandering school teacher, and contributor and editor to various magazines and newspapers. Controversial for his outspokenness on sexual matters which seemingly contradicted his strongly held Quaker belief. He was also furiously outspoken about social and political corruption which was again in seeming contradiction to his gentle appearance as he worked as a volunteer among Civil War wounded.