Walt Whitman to Richard Maurice Bucke, 30 December 1890
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Camden1
PM Dec: 30 '90
Much the same continued—have sent over "Some Personal Memoranda" and a little poemet to Lippincott's2—cold & clear weather—Mrs. D3 has just bro't me in a little jar of bees' honey—sit here by fire—Happy New Year—
Walt Whitman
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Correspondent:
Richard Maurice Bucke (1837–1902) was a
Canadian physician and psychiatrist who grew close to Whitman after reading Leaves of Grass in 1867 (and later memorizing it) and
meeting the poet in Camden a decade later. Even before meeting Whitman, Bucke
claimed in 1872 that a reading of Leaves of Grass led him
to experience "cosmic consciousness" and an overwhelming sense of epiphany.
Bucke became the poet's first biographer with Walt
Whitman (Philadelphia: David McKay, 1883), and he later served as one
of his medical advisors and literary executors. For more on the relationship of
Bucke and Whitman, see Howard Nelson, "Bucke, Richard Maurice," Walt Whitman: An
Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York:
Garland Publishing, 1998).
Notes
- 1. This letter is addressed: Dr Bucke | Asylum | London | Ontario Canada. It is postmarked: Camden, N.J. | Dec 30 | 8 PM | 90; London | JA [illegible] | 91 | Canada. [back]
- 2. Whitman sent "Some Personal and Old-Age Memoranda" (later "Some Personal and Old-Age Jottings") and "Sail Out for Good, Eidólon Yacht!" for which he received $50 (Whitman's Commonplace Book, Charles E. Feinberg Collection of the Papers of Walt Whitman, 1839–1919, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.). "Some Personal and Old-Age Memoranda" and a group of four poems, including "Sail Out for Good," appeared in Lippincott's Magazine in the March 1891 issue. [back]
- 3. Mary Oakes Davis (1837 or 1838–1908) was Whitman's housekeeper. For more, see Carol J. Singley, "Davis, Mary Oakes (1837 or 1838–1908)," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]