Here's a more nuanced view:
* Early Life: Whitman's early life was marked by poverty. He was born into a working-class family and had to leave school at a young age to help support them.
* Mid-Life: As a young adult, he found some success as a journalist and editor, but his income remained modest. He also published his groundbreaking poetry collection "Leaves of Grass" in 1855, which initially received little critical acclaim and did not bring him much financial reward.
* Later Life: As his fame grew, Whitman's financial situation improved. He was granted a government position as a clerk in the Department of the Interior, and received a small pension after he was injured while tending to wounded soldiers during the Civil War. He continued to publish and received some royalties for his work.
* End of Life: Whitman's final years were marked by declining health and financial instability. He relied on friends and family to support him.
Overall: Whitman's life was characterized by periods of both hardship and relative stability. While he never achieved great wealth, he was able to support himself and his family for most of his life. His financial situation improved as his literary reputation grew.