Leaves of grass

Walt Whitman published his first collection of poetry, Leaves of Grass, in 1855. Whitman spent most of his professional life writing and revising it multiple times until his death.

It was highly controversial during its time for its explicit sexual imagery, and Whitman was subject to derision by many contemporary critics. Over time, however, the collection has infiltrated popular culture and been recognised as one of the central works of American poetry.