Ralph Waldo Emerson's final significant philosophical work, Conduct of Life (1860), encapsulates many ideas that profoundly influenced Whitman. The book emphasizes the value of self-reliance and showcases Emerson’s romantic aesthetic philosophy.

Leaves of Grass (1892), the culmination of Whitman’s career and a milestone in American literature, includes renowned sections such as “Drum-Taps,” “Memories of President Lincoln,” and “Songs of Parting.” The concluding poem of “Inscriptions,” titled “Song of Myself,” stands as one of Whitman’s most impactful extended poems.

Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Evening Star” (1827) offers a captivating reflection on astronomy, intertwined with themes of love and more. This poem presents a significant poetic interpretation of the night sky by an early American romantic writer who greatly influenced Whitman.

Herman Melville’s renowned novel Moby-Dick (1851) narrates Captain Ahab’s quest for the white whale. Its symbolism and romantic elements differ greatly in style from Whitman’s writings, yet both authors were contemporaries exploring similar themes.

Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage (1895), akin to Whitman’s Drum-Taps, confronts the brutal realities of the Civil War. However, its narrative approach is unique and highlights the evolution of the American literary landscape during Whitman’s later years.