Walt Whitman fully absorbed 19th-century cultural life, both reflecting and transfiguring it through his remarkable poetry and prose. Regarded as an important philosopher of democracy and a champion of advanced views on sexuality, Whitman is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest American poets and a major figure in world literature.

This reference guide provides unprecedented access to a wealth of information about the poet. Over 200 contributors, including leading Whitman scholars, cover more than 750 topics - from biographical data to thematic, formal, and technical considerations, from Whitman's attitudes on issues like slavery and women's rights to current trends in Whitman scholarship.

In addition to extensive coverage of Whitman's social and personal life, the volume also includes commentary on all of his works: the several editions of Leaves of Grass as well as his poem clusters, major poems, principal essays, and other writings. This book is designed for anyone interested in Whitman, from the general reader to the specialist.