Ralph Waldo Emerson, the Transcendentalist Writer

Ralph Waldo Emerson was an American poet who led the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. He was born on May 25, 1803 in Boston, Massachusetts to William and Ruth (Haskins) Emerson; his father was a clergyman. In 1821, he graduated from Harvard University and became a minister in 1826.

In 1836, Emerson published his first book, Nature, in which he wrote about his belief in transcendentalism, where everything in the world is one with nature. His other book The American Scholar, encouraged American authors to find their own style instead of imitating their foreign predecessors.

Emerson's most famous works are Essay, First and Second Series. In the First Series, it includes his essay called Self-Reliance, which he published in 1841. It is about his relationship with Nature and God, and to trust his own judgment above all others.

Emerson died on April 27, 1882, in Concord, Massachusetts. His beliefs were strong influences on the work of his protégé Henry David Thoreau and his contemporary Walt Whitman, as well as numerous others. Till this day, we still read transcendentalist poems and that impacts our lives and lets us see the deeper meaning behind these poems and how they can affect our lives.

Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of my favorite transcendentalist poets because he was the one who led the movement of transcendentalism. He wrote a great number of essays and books that have influenced our lives and lets us greatly rely on nature. He let me, personally, believe that we are one with nature and that we can always rely on nature when we are in trouble or have concerns and problems. Emerson also inspired me to be myself and to believe in yourself. Don't let other opinions get in your way and to keep striving for YOU and not anyone else.

Quotes from Self-Reliance that I admire:

“Be yourself; no base imitator of another, but your best self. There is something which you can do better than another. Listen to the inward voice and bravely obey that. Do the things at which you are great, not what you were never made for.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself." - Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

“Ne te quaesiveris extra." (Do not seek for things outside of yourself)” -Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

Sources:

https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poet/ralph-waldo-emerson

http://www.biography.com/people/ralph-waldo-emerson-9287153