Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman is renowned as a poet, essayist, and journalist and is often dubbed the “pioneer of free verse” for his significant impact on American literature. Historians have long speculated about his sexuality, suggesting he might have been gay or at least bisexual. Some believe the answers are woven into his poetry, pointing to potential homoerotic undertones as clues to his orientation.

Oscar Wilde, another notable figure from this period, once remarked after meeting Whitman, “I have the kiss of Walt Whitman still on my lips.” Allegedly, Whitman had ties with British poet Edward Carpenter and Peter Doyle. Interestingly, Whitman seemed to cryptically refer to Doyle in his journals using the code “16.4”, corresponding to the letters “P” and “D” in the alphabet.