Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was a major American poet, philosopher and center of the American Transcendental movement.

His first book, Nature, a collection of essays, appeared when he was 33. Emerson emphasized individualism and rejected traditional authority. He also believed that people should try to live a simple life in harmony with nature and with others. His lectures ‘The American Scholar’ (1837) and ‘Address at Divinity College’ (1838) challenged the Harvard intelligentsia and warned about a lifeless Christian tradition. Harvard ostracized him for many years, but his message attracted young disciples, who joined the informal Transcendental Club (established in 1836). In 1840 Emerson helped Margaret Fuller to launch The Dial (1840-44), an open forum for new ideas on the reformation of society.

Emerson’s health started to fail after the partial burning of his house in 1872. He made his last tour abroad in 1872-1873, and then withdrew more and more from public life. Emerson died on April 27, 1882 in Concord.

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