Ralph Waldo Emerson
1803-1882
Marlene Loza
General Information
  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 & Education
  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 & Politics
  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-waldoemerson
“Emerson, Ralph Waldo." American Authors,
1600-1900 (1938): Biography Reference Bank (H.W. Wilson).
Web. 16 Mar. 2016.