Walt Whitman to William D. O'Connor, 19 February 1889

Camden Feb: 19 '891

Am sitting as usual by the oak fire alone rather monotonous here after long confinement—sharp cold to-day—Dr B[ucke]2 may be a day or so later in coming—I expect him now 21st or 22d—Have rec'd a long criticism (markedly favorable) in London Pall Mall Gaz: Jan 253—& another shorter Echo London, Jan: 264—Pretty fair with me, but "cold in the head" obstinate—

Best love to you and N[elly]5 Walt Whitman

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Notes

• 1. This letter is addressed: Wm D O'Connor | 1015 O Street N W | Washington D C. It is postmarked: Camden (?) | Feb 19 | 8 PM | 89. [back]
• 2. 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). [back]
• 3. The Pall Mall Gazette's notice of November Boughs (1888) was entitled "The Gospel According to Walt Whitman." It was published in the January 25, 1889, issue, and although unsigned in the original, the author of the notice was Irish poet and playwright, Oscar Wilde. [back]
• 4. An unsigned review of November Boughs was published in the January 26, 1889, issue of The London Echo. [back]
• 5. Ellen M. "Nelly" O'Connor (1830–1913) was the wife of William D. O'Connor (1832–1889), one of Whitman's staunchest defenders. Before marrying William, Ellen Tarr was active in the antislavery and women's rights movements as a contributor to the Liberator and to a women's rights newspaper Una. Whitman dined with the O'Connors frequently during his Washington years. Though Whitman and William O'Connor would temporarily break off their friendship in late 1872 over Reconstruction policies with regard to emancipated African Americans, Ellen would remain friendly with Whitman. The correspondence between Whitman and Ellen is almost as voluminous as the poet's correspondence with William. Three years after William O'Connor's death, Ellen married the Providence businessman Albert Calder. For more on Whitman's relationship with the O'Connors, see Dashae E. Lott, "O'Connor, William Douglas [1832–1889]" and Lott's "O'Connor (Calder), Ellen ('Nelly') M. Tarr (1830–1913)," Walt Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]