Ralph Waldo Emerson

1803-1882

Marlene Loza General Informaton

Emerson was born in Boston on May 25, 1803

Died of pneumonia in April 27, 1882, and was buried in Concord’s Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

His father was a Unitarian minister, William Emerson

His mother was Ruth Emerson

He was the second of five surviving boys.

Emerson preferred to be called Waldo.

Emerson was considered the most influential American writer of the 19th century. Professions

Messenger

Waiter

Became pastor of the second Unitarian church in Boston

Teacher

American philosopher

Poet

Essayist

Lecturer Early Life & Educaton

When Emerson was eight his father died and his mother took care of him and his brothers.

Paternal aunt Mary Moody Emerson, was a great influence to Emerson, she became his main educator.

Emerson entered Boston Latin School and then got admitted to Harvard in 1817 and earn his B.A.

He graduated 30 in class of 59 Family Emerson married with Ellen Tucker in 1829 but she died of tuberculosis after 17 months of marriage at age 19.

Ø When Tucker died Emerson wrote to his aunt Mary Emerson “My angel is gone to heaven this morning & I am alone in the world”(Norton Anthology 211).

Ø After Ellen Tucker death, Emerson went through a spiritual crisis that he had to resigned his pastorate on December 22, 1832.

Ø Emerson disputed with Tucker family and received his first portion of his first wife. He received more than $1,000 annually.

Family

In 1835 he married again with Lydia Jackson and moved to Concord Massachusetts.

Ø He had two sons and two daughters

Ø In 1842 at the age of five his oldest son, Waldo, died Beliefs & Politcs

Emerson was the leader of the Transcendentalist movement.

Emerson mistrust democracy.

He was an abolitionist.

Emerson argued in favor of women right to vote.

His essay and lectures motivate many of his admirers to become more political and social activist. Famous Works

His first book was named Nature, published anonymously and founded by Emerson own expenses in 1836. Ø The book confirm his future as a prose writer and influence by a range of idealistic philosophies

In 1844 Emerson wrote a second series of essays in which it included “The Poet”, in which it influenced many poets.

His most famous addresses were The American Scholar and The Divinity School. QUIZ

How many kids did Emerson had? 4 kids; two daughters and two sons Emerson was the leader of what movement? The Transcendentalist movement Why did Emerson went through a spiritual crisis? The death of his first wife Ellen Tucker

Sources

The Norton Anthology American Literature 1820-1865 https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/ralph-waldo- emerson

“Emerson, Ralph Waldo." American Authors, 1600-1900 (1938): Biography Reference Bank (H.W. Wilson). Web. 16 Mar. 2016.