Poems of Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882) was born in Boston Massachusetts and was the second of five sons. At the age of seven his father died and he was raised by his mother with the help of his aunt Mary Moody Emerson who was a particular influence on him.At age 14 he went to Harvard College where he studied Greek Latin and history taking outside jobs to cover his school expenses. While he was at Harvard he decided to be known by his middle name Waldo henceforth. After graduating in the middle of his class he took employment as a teacher.Later due to poor health he moved to St. Augustine in Florida for the warmer climate. Here he settled and began writing poetry.In 1829 Emerson was ordained at Boston's Second Church. However after the death of his wife in 1832 he began to have doubts about the church feeling it was an institution that was confined by its traditions which lead to his resignation.In 1833 he began travelling in Europe and continued his poetry.He eventually settled in Concord Massachusetts. During the civil war years he opposed slavery and gave speeches and wrote articles regarding his beliefs though he was never comfortable with being in the limelight.In the last few years of his life Emerson suffered from memory problems. He died of pneumonia in 1882 and is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Concord Massachusetts.Emerson is particularly noted for his series of essays including his most well-known 'Self-Reliance' published in 1841. He was a champion of individualism and a highly regarded philosopher and is often referred to as the Sage of Concord.