Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was an American essayist, poet, and philosopher, best known for his book "Walden" (1854), a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings. Thoreau’s "Civil Disobedience" (1849) also remains a seminal work, advocating nonviolent resistance to unjust laws. He was a key figure in the Transcendentalist movement, closely associated with Ralph Waldo Emerson. In 1845, Thoreau began his two-year experiment in simple living at Walden Pond, which provided the material for "Walden." He also meticulously recorded natural phenomena, contributing to early environmental science. Thoreau’s writings continue to inspire advocates of environmentalism and civil liberties.