TO WILLIAM BELL SCOTT. by Walt Whitman: Summary, Meaning & Analysis
This is a dedicatory letter-poem by William Michael Rossetti, directed to his friend, painter, and poet William Bell Scott.
The poem
DEAR SCOTT,--Among various gifts which I have received from you, tangible and intangible, was a copy of the original quarto edition of Whitman's _Leaves of Grass_, which you presented to me soon after its first appearance in 1855. At a time when few people on this side of the Atlantic had looked into the book, and still fewer had found in it anything save matter for ridicule, you had appraised it, and seen that its value was real and great. A true poet and a strong thinker like yourself was indeed likely to see that. I read the book eagerly, and perceived that its substantiality and power were still ahead of any eulogium with which it might have come commended to me--and, in fact, ahead of most attempts that could be made at verbal definition of them. Some years afterwards, getting to know our friend Swinburne, I found with much satisfaction that he also was an ardent (not of course a _blind_) admirer of Whitman. Satisfaction, and a degree almost of surprise; for his intense sense of poetic refinement of form in his own works and his exacting acuteness as a critic might have seemed likely to carry him away from Whitman in sympathy at least, if not in actual latitude of perception. Those who find the American poet "utterly formless," "intolerably rough and floundering," "destitute of the A B C of art," and the like, might not unprofitably ponder this very different estimate of him by the author of _Atalanta in Calydon_. May we hope that now, twelve years after the first appearance of _Leaves of Grass_, the English reading public may be prepared for a selection of Whitman's poems, and soon hereafter for a complete edition of them? I trust this may prove to be the case. At any rate, it has been a great gratification to me to be concerned in the experiment; and this is enhanced by my being enabled to associate with it your name, as that of an early and well-qualified appreciator of Whitman, and no less as that of a dear friend. Yours affectionately,
This is a dedicatory letter-poem by William Michael Rossetti, directed to his friend, painter, and poet William Bell Scott. It serves as a preface to Rossetti's 1868 selection of Walt Whitman's poems intended for British readers. Essentially, Rossetti expresses: "You were among the first in England to see the brilliance of Whitman, and I’m honored to include your name in this book." It's a heartfelt public acknowledgment that also argues for Whitman's genius to a doubtful British audience.
Line-by-line
DEAR SCOTT,--Among various gifts which I have received from you, tangible / and intangible...
At a time when few people on this side of the Atlantic / had looked into the book...
Some years afterwards, getting to know our friend Swinburne, I found with / much satisfaction that he also was an ardent admirer of Whitman.
Those who find the American poet 'utterly formless,' 'intolerably rough and floundering,'...
May we hope that now, twelve years after the first appearance of *Leaves of Grass*, the English reading public may be prepared...
Tone & mood
The tone is warm and thoughtful — the voice of a well-read man addressing a close friend in a public setting. There's a genuine affection throughout, but Rossetti keeps it from becoming overly sentimental. When he critiques Whitman's detractors, his sharpness is measured, almost restrained. The overall impression is one of quiet confidence: he has faith in Whitman, he trusts in Scott, and he’s happy to let the work stand on its own.
Symbols & metaphors
- The quarto edition of Leaves of Grass — The physical book Scott gave Rossetti is much more than just paper and ink. It symbolizes the sharing of a fresh literary vision across the Atlantic and reflects the trust between two friends who view the world in a similar way.
- The Atlantic Ocean — The phrase 'this side of the Atlantic' subtly highlights the cultural gap between America and Britain. Whitman's work needed to navigate not only the ocean but also significant differences in literary preferences and expectations to connect with British readers.
- Swinburne's name — Swinburne acts as a literary stamp of approval. He was recognized for his strict formal standards, and his admiration for Whitman represents the belief that genuine artistic intelligence goes beyond rigid ideas of what poetry should be.
Historical context
William Michael Rossetti, the brother of Dante Gabriel Rossetti and a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, wrote this dedication for his 1868 anthology *Poems by Walt Whitman*. This was the first significant selection of Whitman's work published in Britain. Whitman's *Leaves of Grass* was released in America in 1855, receiving a mixed response, while in Britain, it was mostly met with confusion or disdain. Rossetti's edition was a purposeful act of cultural support. William Bell Scott, a Scottish painter, poet, and close friend of the Pre-Raphaelite circle, was one of the early readers of Whitman. Algernon Charles Swinburne, also mentioned in this context, had praised Whitman in his 1866 essay collection *William Blake: A Critical Essay*. The dedication reflects a blend of friendship, literary politics, and the ongoing transatlantic dialogue about the possibilities of poetry.
FAQ
Despite being attributed to Whitman in some collections, this piece was actually written by **William Michael Rossetti**, not Walt Whitman. It is the dedicatory letter Rossetti wrote to his friend William Bell Scott for Scott's 1868 British anthology of Whitman's poems. It has occasionally been listed under Whitman's name since it appears at the beginning of a collection of his works, but the authorship belongs to Rossetti.
William Bell Scott (1811–1890) was a Scottish painter, poet, and art teacher who was closely connected with the Pre-Raphaelite circle. He maintained a long friendship with William Michael Rossetti and his brother Dante Gabriel. Rossetti acknowledges Scott as one of the first in England to appreciate Whitman's significance.
Swinburne was known for his complex, finely crafted poetry and his high critical standards. By highlighting that even Swinburne — a poet you might think would dislike Whitman's free, expansive style — genuinely admired him, Rossetti makes a strong rhetorical point: if the most form-focused poet in England appreciates Whitman, then perhaps the critics labeling Whitman as 'formless' are missing the mark.
*Atalanta in Calydon* (1865) is Swinburne's acclaimed verse drama that draws on the traditions of Greek tragedy. It established his reputation almost instantly and received widespread acclaim for its lyrical and skillfully crafted verse. By mentioning the title, Rossetti emphasizes the lofty artistic standards Swinburne set, making his praise of Whitman even more noteworthy.
He means Britain. While the phrase serves as a casual geographical reference, it also subtly recognizes that Whitman was primarily an American figure who hadn't yet made a significant impact on British readers. Rossetti aimed to bridge that gap with the anthology.
It's a prose dedication — essentially a letter — yet it has been regarded as a literary text and featured in some poetry collections due to its context and thoughtful prose style. It doesn’t employ verse, meter, or rhyme. Consider it a piece of literary prose that just happens to appear at the beginning of a poetry book.
British critics in the 1850s and 1860s took aim at Whitman for various reasons: they deemed his free verse 'formless' and 'rough,' found his subject matter vulgar or obscene, and perceived his self-promotional tone as un-English arrogance. Rossetti directly quotes some of these criticisms — 'utterly formless,' 'intolerably rough and floundering,' 'destitute of the A B C of art' — to illustrate how misguided he believes they are.
The 1868 anthology had a real impact. It brought Whitman to the attention of a broad British audience and contributed to the serious critical reputation he enjoys today. It also initiated a lasting friendship between Rossetti and Whitman, mainly through their correspondence. Today, the book is regarded as a significant milestone in how American poetry was received across the Atlantic.