Ralph Waldo Emerson By: Aaron Sayers

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?

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

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

Important dates Born Death of Father – Left his family in debt Attends college – Begins to keep journals of his changing thoughts and beliefs Death of wife Ellen Tucker First lecture Lectures on “Biography” Lectures on English Literature Nature is published, Son Waldo is born, Death of Brother

Important Dates (Continued) Daughter Ellen is born Death of son Second series of essays are published, Son Edward is born Death of Mother Conduct of Life is published Letters and Social Aims is published 1876 Lectures at University of Virginia Emerson's death at age 78

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

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

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

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

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.

Any Questions? Bibliography – – – – 222&Itemid= &Itemid=260