He Praised Walt Whitman When Few Others Would, But Felt Burned When Whitman Published His Private Letters

Walt Whitman was motivated after reading one of Emerson's poems. He mailed a copy of Leaves of Grass to Emerson after self-publishing it in 1855. Unknown poet's controversial book of poetry received unfavorable reviews; it was frequently referred to as filthy and obscene, and one reviewer termed it “a mess of idiotic trash”. Poor sales were made. Emerson, who had read the book, praised Whitman in a letter, calling it “the most extraordinary piece of wit and insight that America has yet offered” and a “great gift”.

The first printing of Leaves of Grass generated a great deal of attention because of Emerson's endorsement. Whitman was inspired by Emerson to produce a second edition of Leaves of Grass. Whitman did, however, put Emerson's words in a newspaper article and on the book's spine, with the lines “I Greet You at the Beginning of a Great Career”. Emerson apparently felt shocked and irritated when his private letter was published without his consent, and he stopped talking about Whitman after that.