1. Ralph Waldo Emerson By: Aaron Sayers

2. Summary Background Information Why was Ralph Waldo Emerson important? Important Dates His criticism of American life – Questions Answered What was his message to improve American life? What made him interesting? What means did he use to get his points across? What impact did his reforms have?

3. Background Information Born May 25 th 1803 Died April 27 th 1882 He graduated from Harvard He was an essayist, poet, and philosopher His teachings were a large influence of the New Thought movement of the mid 1800’s He later in life was an abolitionist

4. Why was he important? Urged Americans to make a writing style different than that of Europe's Spoke out about the slave trade and cruelty against Native Americans His writing had a large influence on leaders of art, religion, politics, and religion. He also helped to show the importance of science to the religious

5. Important dates 1803- Born 1811- Death of Father – Left his family in debt 1817-1821- Attends college – Begins to keep journals of his changing thoughts and beliefs 1831- Death of wife Ellen Tucker 1833- First lecture 1835- Lectures on “Biography” 1835-1836- Lectures on English Literature 1836- Nature is published, Son Waldo is born, Death of Brother

6. Important Dates (Continued) 1839- Daughter Ellen is born 1842- Death of son 1844- Second series of essays are published, Son Edward is born 1853- Death of Mother 1860- Conduct of Life is published 1875- Letters and Social Aims is published 1876 Lectures at University of Virginia 1882- Emerson's death at age 78

7. His criticism of American life Thought the average American needed to better understand nature and the nature of man Thought Americans were cruel to Native Americans Thought the slave trade should be ended Thought Americans needed to introduce a new form of writing

8. His message to improve American life His message was to show the cruelty taking place in the slave trade and attacks on native Americans. Tactics he used to try to create reform: – Lectures – Poems – Journals of his feeling on subjects – Literature

9. What made him interesting? He used things that had happened to him in his private life to draw conclusions on public issues The great number of people that read his literature, and visited his lectures His accomplishments coming from a poor family

10. Means used to get points across His means to present his ideas were very particle Had no radical ideas for total reform, but only small changes for mostly non-Americans Also met with president Lincoln to explain his ideas about slavery, and Native Americans rights

11. What lasting impact did his reforms have? Helped to add more people to the abolitionist movement Helped give ideas for more Native Americans rights Helped create a new form of righting different from that of Europe's. Showed many religious leaders the value of science and nature.

12. Any Questions? Bibliography – http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/ralphwaldoemerson.html http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/ralphwaldoemerson.html – http://www.online-literature.com/emerson/ http://www.online-literature.com/emerson/ – http://www.transcendentalists.com/1emerson.html http://www.transcendentalists.com/1emerson.html – http://www.rwe.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id= 222&Itemid=260 http://www.rwe.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id= 222&Itemid=260