An introduction to Ralph Waldo Emerson

1. An introduction to Ralph Waldo Emerson The Transcendentalists Mrs. Jimenez English III

2. Ralph Waldo Emerson • Known as the “Father of Transcendentalism” • Mentor to Henry David Thoreau

3. Emerson wrote essays • It is not what an author writes which makes him remembered, it is what he has to say…Emerson does not use the guise of storytelling. He writes his philosophy straightforward.

4. Self-Reliance Love Friendship Nature Intellect Art Experience The Over-Soul Character Gifts Politics Compensation Heroism and more! Titles of his essays...

5. A word on Emerson’s Essays “I read and reread Emerson because he is that almost extinct species, the reflective man of letters, the meditative essayist, the thoughtful writer of a prose which has…the magical effects of poetry.” ---Irwin Edman

6. A short Biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson Essayist, poet, philosopher...

7. I. Emerson’s Childhood • Born on May 25, 1803 • Fourth of eight children (3 died in infancy) • Father, William Emerson, was the sixth in a line of ministers • Strict, frugal household

8. I. Emerson’s Childhood Cont’d • Father died when Emerson was eight years old • His paternal aunt, Mary Moody Emerson, moved in to help with the children and became Emerson’s intellectual role model. • Mary Moody Emerson identified with the new views of the Romantic Age

9. II. Emerson’s Education • At the age of fourteen Emerson entered Harvard • He was “Class Poet”--after six classmates declined • Graduated in the middle of his class--30th out of 59 students

10. II. Emerson’s Education cont’d • More important was his informal education, both intellectual and emotional

11. III. Minister/Unitarianism • Emerson served as a guest minister for many years • In 1829 Emerson started to preach at his own pulpit

12. IV. Marriage • Emerson fell in love with Ellen Tucker • Married at age 26 • After six months, Ellen fell ill • She died after 2 years of marriage

13. IV. Marriage Cont’d • Emerson’s grief was strong and long lasting • A year after her death, he reopened Ellen’s coffin to deal with his grief • He quit his job as minister • Emerson used his remaining salary to sail to Europe on Christmas day for a 9 month stay

14. V. A New Life • Emerson returned in 1833 and began a new career as lecturer, essayist and poet • Ellen’s estate provided an annual salary, he supplemented it by giving guest sermons

15. V. A New Life Cont’d • Started to associate with intellectuals of Massachusetts • In 1835 married Lydia Jackson • Published his first work, “Nature” • In 1837, met Henry David Thoreau, who became his disciple

16. VI. The Transcendentalists • In the late 1830’s, Emerson became the “chief spokesperson for the Transcendentalists” • He gave many famous lectures which were later published • Very successful professionally

17. VII. Later Life • Emerson’s views became very controversial. He spoke out publicly against slavery and for women’s rights • Essays started to lose some vitality • Respected and honored for his intellectual contributions

18. VIII. Death of Emerson • In his last few years, Emerson suffered from aphasia (lose the power to comprehend or use words, usually resulting from a brain lesion) • Died on April 27, 1882 (at the age of 78)