Poems of Ralph Waldo Emerson

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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.