Special Collections & Rare Book Room

Waldo Library, #3016
Phone: 269-387-5221
Fax: 269-387-5077
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Walter Whitman Collection

Walter Whitman (1819-1892), born in Long Island, New York, spent his early years working for newspapers. In 1849 Whitman left the newspaper business and sustained a book / stationery / printer shop in order to write poetry. In 1855 Whitman published the first edition of "Leaves of Grass".

It consisted of twelve untitled poems, and was limited to 800 copies. Based on years of experience as a journalist, he began promoting his book by publishing positive, unsigned reviews as well as sending copies to the leading literary figures of the day. The book was looked at favorably by transcendentalists, but not well liked by others. He printed a second edition in 1856, with more than 400 pages with several new poems that would become instant classics.

Special Collections has five of Whitman's books that were printed during his lifetime, and another three about him which were printed before his death in 1892. We have a copy of Leaves of Grass from 1882, his last revision. Also in our collection is a large assortment of pamphlets, reprints, and catalogues of exhibitions pertinent to Whitman and photographs taken of Whitman between 1872-1882.