Walt Whitman: A Gay Life

by Gary Schmidgall

A revealing biography of the renowned American poet explores the relationships Whitman had with his male friends, most notably his long-time lover Peter Doyle, and uses such insight as a basis for literary criticism of his work. 10,000 first printing.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Poetry, LGBT, History, Queer, Queer Studies

464 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

Gary Schmidgall is a professor of English at Hunter College, the City University of New York, and the editor of Intimate with Walt: Selections from Whitman's Conversations with Horace Traubel, 1888-1892 (Iowa, 2001). His other Whitman books are Walt Whitman: A Gay Life and Walt Whitman: Selected Poems 1855-1892. He has also published books on Shakespeare and on the relation between literature and opera, as well as a biography of Oscar Wilde.

Reviews

[George Ilsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are layers of material here, including sections of memoir from the author's own life. The detailed opera sections can be hard to wade through if one is not overwhelmingly obsessed with opera (but the same can be said of the chapter on Oscar Wilde and Whitman).

Some of the perceptions seem a little dated now. Schmidgall defines men as being gay or straight, which seems now too binary and in the 19th century would have been even less applicable. In fact some of Whitman's coded approach to his favourite topic was the invention and use of a new language, such as the word "adhesive" (borrowed from phrenology). Therefore, "adhesiveness" was the quality of attachment between men. It was euphemistic but also expressive, and not binary.

A 19th century man would not have thought of himself as "gay" or "straight" but in other terms (which rarely if ever would have been recorded). Whitman's favourite words in Leaves of Grass are "manly" and "robust," and I suppose there's a code in there as well. There is much speculation and overwhelming evidence of the wealth hidden from view (while being paraded in veiled coded language), but in the end we will never know what exactly transpired in the verdant meadows, in the lush woods, next to the streams and on all those long walks. Tall grass can hide multitudes!

[Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly sourced argument for reading Whitman as the proto-queer poet he most certainly was. Schmidgall asserts that Whitman's passion for opera played a pivotal role in developing his voice, as well as tracing Walt's increasing self-censorship in the years following the Civil War.

[David Swatling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this insightful biography twenty years ago, in advance of interviewing the author. Thinking about it again this week as we celebrate the bicentenary of Whitman’s birth. Aside from the unique perspective noted in the title, the chapters exploring the poet’s love of opera and his Civil War experiences were two high points. I also enjoyed the author’s personalized take on his poetic hero.

[Rick Rapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Schmidgall's book is exquisitely written, rich in research and elevated vocabulary. But its greatest asset is its topic itself: Walt Whitman as a gay poet. Much has been written about Whitman, but this is the first book I have found entirely dedicated to the explication of Whitman's poetry in relation to his sexuality. Schmidgall includes dozens (and dozens) of lines of Whitman's poetry and he explains how Whitman "toned down" his references and images as he aged. This is an important work for a student of American literature and especially for a gay person looking for a voice in literature. Schmidgall was profoundly affected by Whitman in his own "coming of age" sexually. This tome is a fine tribute to one of the great forerunners of gay liberation and self-acceptance.

[Peterson Toscano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book influenced my thinking so much and gave me a whole new way of understanding Whitman. I found inspiration in my own art and climate advocacy work by learning about the two major breakthroughs in Whitman's life--first in regards to art and second in the time of national crisis.

[Harris Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

more focus on 19th c. opera culture than on walt.

[Paul Clarkson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t want to criticise this although it was hard going. Well researched and written.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was work to finish it.