“The genius of the United States is not best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or colleges, or churches, or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors, but always most in the common people.”

American poet of the mid-19th century, Whitman is best known for his groundbreaking collection *Leaves of Grass*, which redefined free verse and celebrated democracy, individuality, and the human experience. His work blends raw lyricism with unflinching observations of life, labor, and nature, making him a cornerstone of American literature.