In the realm of literature, Washington D.C. is perhaps not well-known for its novels or its poetry. Instead, when we think of literature in our nation's capitol, many of us imagine the myriad legal and civic documents written or stored in the city -- the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the acts and bills written and debated in Congress, Supreme Court decisions, Presidential speeches, and so on. Of course, these documents can and should be considered a part of the Washington, D.C. literary world, but to look beyond the city's political surface reveals a complex literary landscape.
Authors
During the Civil War, Walt Whitman volunteered at a Washington, D.C. military hospital. After working during the day in an army paymaster's office, Whitman would walk to the hospitals on the outskirts of town, bringing tobacco and candy for the wounded soldiers, and providing comfort and assistance in the form of his benign, caring presence. It has been written that, after a long creative drought in the 1850s, his work with the soldiers rejuvenated Whitman's inspiration. Indeed, some of Whitman's best poems -- including his collection of war poems, Drum Taps -- were written during his D.C. period. It was also during this time that Whitman developed his deep appreciation for Abraham Lincoln, a well of emotion that would later give rise to his two great elegies for the president, "O Captain, My Captain" and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd."
Though often treated as a footnote by Whitman's biographers, the poet's deep connection with Washington, D.C. has not gone unnoticed within the city itself. In 2005, the city celebrated "150 Years of Leaves of Grass" with a series of readings, lectures, and other events honoring the great American writer. In the same year, a stretch of F Street NW, between 7th and 8th Streets, was designated "Walt Whitman Way." This stretch was chosen for its proximity to Whitman's daytime workplace (now the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery). It's also close to the neighborhood where Whitman lived during his D.C. residency.
60 years after Whitman's stay in Washington, D.C., the city made another great contribution to American literature, by playing a significant part in the African American literary renaissance of the 1920s. Although this movement is widely known as the Harlem Renaissance, many African American literary hot-spots existed outside of New York City. Washington, D.C. was one of them. Writers such as Jean Toomer, Zora Neale Hurston, Alain Locke, and Gwendolyn Bennett all lived and wrote in D.C. for significant periods of time.
Langston Hughes, perhaps the most visible and representative writer of the Harlem Renaissance, lived in Washington D.C. for two years during the mid-20s. His time in D.C. had a profound impact on the young poet's development. While working various jobs and acquainting himself with the D.C. literary world, Hughes developed a deep appreciation for the city's vibrant African-American community. His experiences in the 7th Street neighborhood inspired the poems of his first published book, The Weary Blues, which was written in the city. Today, thanks to Hughes and others, the legacy of the African-American literary renaissance thrives in D.C.'s many African-American communities.
Literary Locales
As the nation's capital and an important international city, Washington, D.C. offers an incredible wealth of hard literary material for the visiting bookworm to browse. Most notably, the Library of Congress -- established in 1800 -- holds the Guinness Book of World Records title of "World's Largest Library." Housing tens of millions of books, plus millions of government publications, newspapers, maps, films, and sound recordings, the library and its annexes are open to the public. In addition to daily tours, the library hosts several annual events, including the National Book Festival in early autumn, the Founder's Day Celebration, and the Archives Fair. The Library of Congress also hosts permanent and traveling art galleries, and it serves as the official headquarters and repository of the United States Copyright Office.
Another treasure trove for the literary-minded visitor to Washington, D.C. is the Folger Shakespeare Library, located just blocks from the National Mall. Founded in 1930 as a showcase for Standard Oil President Henry Clay Folger's valuable collection of Shakespeare-related artifacts, the library is open to the public. Inside, you'll find the largest collection of print works by Shakespeare, including 79 rare surviving copies of Shakespeare's First Folio. Additionally, the library holds many 16th and 17th century artifacts by other literary figures. Plus, if you plan ahead, you can catch one of the library's live productions of Shakespeare's plays.
Finally, returning to the city's political literature, don't miss the opportunity to visit the public area of the National Archives Building, located north of the National Mall. Here, you can view original, faded copies of our nation's three most important documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. You'll also find other historical documents on display, including the Louisiana Purchase, the Emancipation Proclamation, the Articles of confederation, and the resolution that granted women the right to vote.
As a repository for so many renowned works, the Capital City is an excellent place for bookworms to immerse themselves in the written word. Whether your interest lies in poetry, plays, historical documents, or other literary works, Washington, D.C. offers an astounding array of pages to turn.
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