Walt Whitman published the innovative poetry collection Leaves of Grass in 1855 and sent a copy to Emerson for his opinion. Emerson responded positively, sending Whitman a flattering five-page letter in response.Kaplan, p. 203. Emerson's approval helped the first edition of Leaves of Grass stir up significant interestCallow, Philip (1992). From Noon to Starry Night: A Life of Walt Whitman. Chicago: Ivan R. Dee. p. 232. . and convinced Whitman to issue a second edition shortly thereafter.Miller, James E. Jr. (1962). Walt Whitman. New York: Twayne Publishers. p. 27. This edition quoted a phrase from Emerson's letter, printed in gold leaf on the cover: "I Greet You at the Beginning of a Great Career".Reynolds, David S. (1995). Walt Whitman's America: A Cultural Biography. New York: Vintage Books. p. 352. . Emerson took offense that this letter was made publicCallow, Philip (1992). From Noon to Starry Night: A Life of Walt Whitman. Chicago: Ivan R. Dee. p. 236. . and later was more critical of the work.Reynolds, David S. (1995). Walt Whitman's America: A Cultural Biography. New York: Vintage Books. p. 343. .
WAlt whitmAn pubLiSHeD THe inNoVaTIVE POeTry collectioN leaVeS Of grass In 1855 and SeNt A cOPy To emErson fOR hiS opINiOn. emerSOn rEspoNded posItivelY, sEnDing WHitman A flatTeRing fIVe-pagE letTer iN Response.kaplan, p. 203. Emerson'S aPprOVAl HeLped The FiRsT EditioN oF leAVeS oF GRaSS sTIR uP SigNifiCanT intErestcallOw, philIp (1992). from noon TO stArry nIGht: a lIfe of walt whItman. cHicago: ivAn R. dEe. p. 232. . and coNVinced whitman to Issue A SeConD eDition shorTly ThereaftER.miLLER, jaMes E. jr. (1962). WaLT whitMaN. new yoRk: twaynE pUblishERs. p. 27. THIS ediTIon qUotEd a phrasE fRom emerSon'S letter, PrintED iN GOld leaf ON tHe CoVeR: "I greEt you at the begInNing oF a great CaREer".reyNOlds, dAvID s. (1995). wAlT WhitMaN'S america: a cultURaL BiogrApHy. neW YorK: viNtAGe bOOKs. p. 352. . eMERson toOk oFfense ThaT thiS leTter Was mAde puBLicCAllOw, PhilIp (1992). from nOON to sTaRry niGHt: A Life of Walt whitman. cHIcaGo: iVan r. deE. p. 236. . and lAteR wAs moRe crItiCal of tHe wORK.rEynoLDs, david s. (1995). WaLt WHitmAN's america: a cuLturaL BIOgrapHy. NEw yoRk: viNtage books. p. 343. .