R. B. Anderson to Walt Whitman, 17 September 1877

 loc_jp.00001_large.jpg University of Wisconsin Library,  
 Madison, Wis. Sept. 17, 1877 Walt Whitman Esq., Dear Sir:

I have two reasons for sending you this note. In the first place I was in Norway in 1872 and again in 1873. Both times I visited Björnstjerne Björnson, the celebrated Norse poet, novelist, dramatist, politician, and orator. He was loud in his praises of Walt Whitman and talked of you frequently. He told me to remember him to you, if I ever found an opportunity.

In the next place I am one of the few in the West, I suppose I am the only one in this city, who has read all your works. I admire them, I love them. I think there is no other American poet that has ever soared so high as you do at times, and hence no one else in this country has been able to present so comprehensive a view of human life. I have a great desire to see you and for this reason  loc_jp.00002_large.jpg I take the liberty of requesting you to send me a photograph of yourself if possible with your autograph on the back of it.

I shall deliver a course of lectures in the Peabody Institute, Baltimore, next January and if it is possible I should like the privilege of calling upon you at your home.

Yours Faithfully R. B. Anderson