Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo
Emerson (May 25, 1803 - April 27, 1882) was an American essayist, poet, and leader of the Transcendentalist movement in the early 19th century. Emerson gradually moved away from the religious and social beliefs of his contemporaries, formulating and
expressing the philosophy of Transcendentalism in his 1836 essay, Nature. As a result of this ground breaking work he gave a
speech entitled The American Scholar in 1837, which is considered to be America's
"Intellectual Declaration of Independence." He once said
"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." Considered one of the great orators of the time, Emerson's enthusiasm and respect for his
audience enraptured crowds. His support for abolitionism late in life created controversy, and he was subject to abuse from crowds while speaking on the topic. When asked to sum up his
work, he said his central doctrine was "the
infinitude of the private man.Ó*
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