Lincoln and Whitman: Parallel Lives in Civil War Washington

Mentioned in the 1861 chapter.

Described as "powerful, arch, and often caustic." Epstein also alleges that he might have been a lover of Whitman's.

Clapp is described as a "most skillful and devoted publicist," who"could make hay out of scandal." He ran both good and bad press for promoting Whitman. Epstein claims that Clapp gave Whitman the advice, "Better to have people stirred against you if they can't be stirred for you."

Described as a one-eyed, Polish man who wore a cape and blue-tinted glasses to protect his good eye. De Gurowski was supposedly in exile. Epstein claims he brought with him an air of romance and intellectual arrogance and that he idolized Whitman.

de Gurowski's connection to Pfaffs was through his writing for the Tribune.

Mentioned in the 1861 chapter.

Howells remarked that Whitman was practically the object of cult worship. Howells also claimed that that the Atlantic [Monthly] was a more desirable showcase for young writers than The Saturday Press.

It appears that Howells' visit to Pfaff's prompted by being baited by Clapp to do so. Howells also reportedly did not recognize Whitman and was unawareof his presence until Howells' departure.

Epstein refers to him as "Charley" and states that Pfaff's opened just months after the publication of Leaves of Grass. Epstein also discusses Pfaff's new tavern on 24th St. that failed.

Epstein notes that the paper ran more than 25 items by and about Whitman -- reviews, advertisements, parodies- during 1860 for the third edition of Leaves of Grass.

Howells remarked that Whitman was practically the object of cult worship.