Walt Whitman, often called the "father of free verse", was an American poet, essayist and journalist.  His writingreflects the era he lived in, the transitional period between transcendentalism and realism.  Whitman's major and most known work, Leaves of Grass, was self-published in 1855 but he continued to revise and add to it until his death in 1892.

Romantic Era composer, Frédéric Chopin, known as "the poet of the piano" became famous in Paris, first for his private piano performances at the musical soirees of the aristocracy and social elite. Even though his keyboard style was uniquely individual, highly stylized and often technically demanding, his piano performances were noted for their nuance and sensitivity. During his short lifetime, despite giving only 30 public performances Chopin was regarded as the greatest piano virtuoso of his time.