1. Ralph Waldo Emerson Born 25 May 1803 in Boston on Summer Street Father and grandfather were ministers From academic class: Ancestors for five generations had been scholars

2. Early Life and Education Father William died when RW Emerson was eight Household in serious financial difficulty, with five boys to be clothed, fed and educated Mrs. Emerson succeeded

3. Education Attended Boston Latin School Entered Harvard College at 14, where he was appointed President’s messenger Gentle, amiable, not noteworthy as a student, but seen early as a scholar Harvard Divinity School

4. Education-ministry 1823 began studying for the ministry Deeply spiritual and philosophical in nature Also followed in line with his family Ordained as Unitarian minister Became assistant pastor of Second Church in Boston Shortly became its incumbent Active interest in social policy; member of school board Chaplain of state senate Married 1829; wife died in 1831

5. Concord 1832 expressed disapproval of church practice Quietly withdrew from church 1834 moved to Concord; lived with mother in parsonage earlier occupied by grandfather

6. Transcendentalism From his home path led to Walden Pond Married Lydia Jackson 1835; son Waldo born 1836 Published a small volume Nature in 1836 (anonymously) This was first enunciation of transcendentalist principles

7. Life in Concord Nature text that so influenced young Thoreau 1834 Started new career lecturing 1835 moves to Concord 1836 Son Waldo is born 1839 daughter Ellen born 1841 daughter Edith born 1842 son Waldo dies 1844 son Edward born 1855 Meets Walt Whitman

8. Later Life 1862 Civil War: Battle of Shiloh, loss of 3,000 men A month later in Concord, Henry David Thoreau died of tuberculosis Emerson, who considered Thoreau his best friend, wrote the eulogy Eulogy was his last sustained piece of writing Claimed Thoreau was the only really free man he knew

9. End of Life In later years had increasing problems with memory House burned in 1872; was rebuilt during trip to Europe (funded by spontaneous gifts) Died April 27, 1882 Buried on Author’s Ridge, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery