Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) emerged as a central figure in American transcendentalism. In 1836, he published "Nature," laying the foundation for this philosophical movement, which emphasized the intrinsic connection between humanity and the natural world. Emerson's 1841 essay "Self-Reliance" is one of his most celebrated works, advocating for individual intuition and independence. He also delivered the influential lecture "The American Scholar" in 1837, which called for American intellectual independence from European thought. A prolific lecturer and writer, Emerson's essays and public addresses significantly shaped American literature and philosophy in the 19th century. His Concord, Massachusetts home became an intellectual hub, attracting contemporaries like Henry David Thoreau and Margaret Fuller.