Step 1: Understanding the Publication Date:
"Leaves of Grass" is a collection of poetry by Walt Whitman, first published in 1855. This collection marked the beginning of Whitman's influence on American poetry.
Step 2: Analyzing the Options:
- 1892: Incorrect, as the final edition of "Leaves of Grass" was published in 1892, but the first edition came out much earlier, in 1855.
- 1855: The correct answer, as this is the year Walt Whitman first published "Leaves of Grass."
- 1860: Incorrect, as this is not the year of the first publication.
- 1872: Incorrect, as "Leaves of Grass" was not first published in this year.
Step 3: Conclusion:
The first publication of "Leaves of Grass" occurred in 1855.