Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist, and journalist, born on May 31, 1819, in West Hills, New York. He is best known for his groundbreaking collection of poetry titled Leaves of Grass, first published in 1855. Whitman's work celebrated the individual, nature, and the human experience, often using free verse and a conversational style. Whitman was a key figure in the American Romanticism movement and is considered one of the most influential poets in American literature. His themes of democracy, equality, and the interconnectedness of all people resonate throughout his writings, making him a symbol of American identity and creativity.