Henry D. Thoreau - Biography and Career
Henry David Thoreau was one of the greatest American Transcendentalist writers of the 19th century. He is famous for his nature and political writings.
He is best known for his book Walden, or, Life in the Woods and his essay Civil Disobedience. Walden is an impression of his time spent at the Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts.
Henry David Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817 in Concord, Massachusetts. He was the third of four children. His father, John Thoreau, was a pencil manufacturer. His mother, Cynthia Dunbar, spent most of her time raising her children.
Thoreau studied at Harvard University between 1833 and 1837. He was a good student, but not brilliant. While at Harvard, he got familiar with the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, his Concord neighbor. Later he became friends with him.
After graduation, Thoreau worked for a time in his father's pencil factory. He also taught at a grammar school and did some tutoring. In 1839 he decided not to pursue a schoolteacher's career, but should instead try to become a writer.
From 1841 to 1843 Thoreau lived at the Emerson house. He was an assistant to Emerson, helping to edit and contributing poetry and prose to the The Dial, a transcendentalist magazine.
In 1845 Thoreau built himself a small cabin on the shores of Walden Pond for 28 dollars. He remained for more than two years. While at Walden, he was observing nature, reading, writing, and keeping a detailed journal of his activities and thoughts. From this journal he later created the work he is most famous for - Walden, Or Life in the Woods (1854).
During the time he lived at Walden Pond, he was arrested for refusing to pay taxes. He spent a night in jail. This experience inspired his most well-known essay - Civil Disobedience (originally Resistance to Civil Government).
After leaving Walden, he lived with Emerson (1847-49) and then for the remainder of his life in his family home. He was never able to earn a living by his writings, although his works fill 20 volumes.
Thoreau was only 44 years of age at the time of his death from Tuberculosis, a disease that had plagued him throughout his adult life. He died on May 6, 1862. - 2361
He is best known for his book Walden, or, Life in the Woods and his essay Civil Disobedience. Walden is an impression of his time spent at the Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts.
Henry David Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817 in Concord, Massachusetts. He was the third of four children. His father, John Thoreau, was a pencil manufacturer. His mother, Cynthia Dunbar, spent most of her time raising her children.
Thoreau studied at Harvard University between 1833 and 1837. He was a good student, but not brilliant. While at Harvard, he got familiar with the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson, his Concord neighbor. Later he became friends with him.
After graduation, Thoreau worked for a time in his father's pencil factory. He also taught at a grammar school and did some tutoring. In 1839 he decided not to pursue a schoolteacher's career, but should instead try to become a writer.
From 1841 to 1843 Thoreau lived at the Emerson house. He was an assistant to Emerson, helping to edit and contributing poetry and prose to the The Dial, a transcendentalist magazine.
In 1845 Thoreau built himself a small cabin on the shores of Walden Pond for 28 dollars. He remained for more than two years. While at Walden, he was observing nature, reading, writing, and keeping a detailed journal of his activities and thoughts. From this journal he later created the work he is most famous for - Walden, Or Life in the Woods (1854).
During the time he lived at Walden Pond, he was arrested for refusing to pay taxes. He spent a night in jail. This experience inspired his most well-known essay - Civil Disobedience (originally Resistance to Civil Government).
After leaving Walden, he lived with Emerson (1847-49) and then for the remainder of his life in his family home. He was never able to earn a living by his writings, although his works fill 20 volumes.
Thoreau was only 44 years of age at the time of his death from Tuberculosis, a disease that had plagued him throughout his adult life. He died on May 6, 1862. - 2361
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