Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1803. He was well educated: graduating from Harvard University at age 18 and going to Harvard Divinity School in 1825. He married Ellen Tucker but she died only 17 months into their marriage.

Mr. Emerson traveled to Europe to meet many British poets and writers. He returned to the United States of America in 1833. He located in Concord, Massachusetts and lectured in Boston. His early lectures were mainly from his journals he wrote during his Harvard education. He began writing more and more. His first published book showed his idea of Transcendental life (Transcendentalism). He used this line of thinking in many of his works. He also served as a Unitarian minister.

His first volume of essays was made in 1841. For a brief period of time between 1847 and 1848, he lectured in England and some of those lectures were also published in 1850. He also wrote many poems. A collection of his poems were published in 1867 - his last piece of work before slowing down.

He is also well known for authoring many quotations. This accomplishment is what I associate with Ralph Waldo Emerson. Many of his quotes are motivational or observations of life. Some are humorous and all are thought provoking. One that sticks in my mind and is likely familiar to many, is: "Hitch your wagon to a star".

As time went on his mental capabilities deteriorated but he did publish two more works in 1870 and 1874. Sadly, the great American philosopher, essayist, speaker, poet and writer died in 1882 at the age of 79.

Nick Sieben
Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada