Ralph Waldo Emerson Biography

Dromo's Den

EMERSON Ralph Waldo, celebrated essayist, philosopher and poet, born in Boston. Mass., May 25, 1803; died April 27, 1882. He came from a family that resided in America for three generations, graduated at Harvard College in 1821, and later studied theology under the direction of Channing. Soon after he was made pastor of the Second Unitarian Church, Boston, but severed his connection after a brief period on account of holding views respecting the Lord's Supper at variance with his congregation, and afterwards devoted himself to writing and lecturing. He married in 1830, but his wife died the following year, and he spent two years in Europe, largely with the view of recuperating has own health. While in Britain he became acquainted with Wordsworth, De Quincey, Coleridge, and Carlyle, forming with the latter a personal friendship that influenced the lives of both. In 1835 he married again and settled in Concord, Mass., where he made his permanent home, leaving it only when on lecturing tours and for a second visit to Europe. His life was largely that of a literary recluse, owing to the close attention he gave to study and research. His knowledge of the practical affairs of public life was comparatively limited, though he possessed considerable interest in public questions, while his philosophy lacked robustness and thought, at least such as the busy life of his time required. His essays are characterized by charming ideals and ethical beauty. These, together with a wise choice of words, originality in thought, and inspiring tendency, have made for them a permanent place in modern literature. The total collection of Emerson's works embraces twelve volumes, including philosophical and religious writings, poems, essays, and lectures, the latter embracing several on the abolition of slavery. Among his best-known and popular writings are "Representative Men; "American Scholar;" "Memoir of Margaret Fuller;" "Oration on the Death of Lincoln;" "Society in Solitude;" "Conduct of Life;" "Nature: An Essay;" "Letters and Social Aims;" "May Day and Other Pieces," and "English Traits." With these should also be classed "Letters to Thomas Carlyle'' a series of letters published posthumously.

The Teachers' and Pupils' Cyclopædia, Vol. II. (Kansas City: Bufton Book Co., 1909) 578.