Whitman: A Study

Name: Whitman: A Study
Author: John Burroughs

By John Burroughs

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American Literature Essays, Letters & Speeches

About This Book

A close, appreciative critical portrait of Walt Whitman that combines personal reminiscences with analytical essays. The author sketches Whitman's life and character, then examines his governing ideas, self-reliance, and artistic methods, and traces the poet's relations to morals, culture, science, religion, and his national context. Emphasis falls on the cosmic and elemental aspects of his nature poetry and on the book's mixture of forthright individualism and democratic breadth. The work closes with a summative appraisal that aims to reconcile apparent eccentricities with an underlying sanity and creative purpose.

About the Author

John Burroughs

John Burroughs (1837-1921) was an American naturalist and essayist, celebrated for his writings on nature and the outdoors. His work often reflects a deep appreciation for the natural world, blending personal observation with philosophical insights. Burroughs was a key figure in the transcendentalist movement, alongside contemporaries like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. He is best known for his books such as "A Year in the Fields" and "Fresh Fields," which showcase his keen observations of wildlife and landscapes. His essays continue to inspire readers with their lyrical prose and profound connection to nature.