This book is the first volume of the complete works the great Walt Whitman. Contained within this first volume is Specimen Days. Composed in 1881 primarily from sketches, notes, and essays written at various stages of the poet"s life from the Civil War onwards, Specimen Days is the closest thing Whitman ever published to a traditional autobiography. A wonderful insight into the mind of America’s most famous poet, this rare classic will appeal to collectors of Whitman’s work and is well deserving of a place atop any bookshelf. Richard Watson Gilder (February 8, 1844 – November 19, 1909) was an American poet and editor. This scarce classic is proudly republished here with a new introductory biography of the author.