Ralph Waldo Emerson

Name: Ralph Waldo Emerson
Author: Oliver Wendell Holmes

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

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American Literature Biographies

About This Book

A detailed literary biography traces the life and intellectual development of a prominent literary figure, following upbringing, college years, early teaching and religious service, marriage and personal losses, and a formative trip to Europe. It charts the emergence of philosophical and literary ideas through sermons, public lectures, essays including a foundational essay on nature, addresses to academic bodies, and correspondence with contemporary thinkers; it describes involvement with a transcendentalist circle and related publications, the publication history of key essays and lectures, and the interplay of private events and public activity that shaped the subject's writings and reputation.

About the Author

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. was an American physician, poet, and essayist, known for his contributions to literature and his role in the development of American thought in the 19th century. He was a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time and is best remembered for his work "A Mortal Antipathy," which explores themes of love and social interaction through a unique narrative style. Holmes was also a key member of the Fireside Poets, a group that included notable contemporaries such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and James Russell Lowell. His essays, particularly those in "Medical Essays, 1842-1882," reflect his keen observations on society and culture, showcasing his wit and intellect.