American writer, philosopher and poet. His first book Nature He published it while remaining anonymous. In this publication he made his philosophy known. He made many speeches, such as the one on August 31, 1837, “The American Student”(On literary independence). Also on July 15, 1838, The Divinity School Address (on the history of Unitarianism).
His son Waldo passed away from scarlet fever (1842), whose tribulation made him string together two more works: the poem Threnody and the essay Experience. It resulted with the influence of German rationalist and romantic philosophy, because Carlyle. Also by the Hinduism, thanks to his friend Max Müller. Nevertheless, Emerson promoted the Transcendentalism, which consisted in a conscience of the individual, without having miracles, religious hierarchies or meditations.
He published his second collection of poems May day and other poems (1867). However, at this stage his literary production diminishes. His philosophy was liberal, promoting individual values, is affirmative, vital and optimistic.
His essays include Nature, Books, Self-sufficiency, Old age, American civilization, Story, Self-confidence, The poet, Compensation, Experience, Politics Y The transcendentalist.
Later, Emerson worked as a teacher, and then went to the Harvard Divinity School. He married his first wife, Ellen louisa tucker, in Concord, New Hampshire. Moving to Boston, together with his mother, who would take care of her daughter-in-law, for her tuberculosis. However, two years later, She died.
Traveling to Rome, his friend John Mill gave him a letter of recommendation to meet Thomas carlyle. He visited the home of Voltaire in Switzerland. After Carlyle’s death, returned to the United States, dedicating himself to continue giving lectures. In 1835 he proposed to Lydia jackson. She confirmed her decision by a letter, responding to the one he sent her. Getting married in Massachusetts.
He published his essays, what it was his second book (1841), which earned him much of his worldwide fame. Emerson continued to publish and lecture. Their ideologies were highly criticized in their time. And he always exercised his philosophy of life and thought.
His work influenced his contemporaries such as Whitman Y Thoreau, but also to thinkers and writers in the United States and internationally so far. In the same way he was recognized by Nietzsche Y William James.