Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on May 3rd, 2014 [1]. Later in life, he preferred to be called Waldo, so from now on, there's Waldo (he's to the left) [2]. Waldo began to be taught reading and grammar at age 3 [2]. Recreation in the Emerson home was thus: reading, learning history, poetry, rhetoric, and oratory [2]. His father died when he was 8, so he was raised by his mother [1]. The women around him were inquisitive and intellectual, which prepared him for a successful academic career [2]. One strong influence was his Aunt Mary Moody Emerson who'd introduced him to Hindu scripture, Neo-Platonism, and natural religion [2].
Boston Latin School was his first place of education, which he enrolled in at age 9, later going on to Harvard at age 14 [2]. He paid his way by waiting tables, tutoring, winning eloquency prizes (yes, those existed), and being an errand boy [2]. He originally had wanted to become a painter, but won Bowdoin Prizes from Harvard for his writing [2]. Waldo also had begun keeping a journal at an early age, which he later used to base his essays on [3]. |
Aunt Mary Moody
Source: http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/ |
Works Cited
1. "RALPH WALDO EMERSON (1803-1882)." Public Broadcasting Service. N.p., n.d. Web.
24 Apr. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ihas/poet/emerson.html>.
2. "The Living Legacy of Ralph Waldo Emerson." Harvard Square Library. N.p., n.d.
Web. 1 May 2014. <http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/collection/
living-legacy-ralph-waldo-emerson/>.
3. Merriman, C. D. "Ralph Waldo Emerson." The Literature Network. Jalic Inc., 2007.
Web. 1 May 2014. <http://www.online-literature.com/emerson/>.
1. "RALPH WALDO EMERSON (1803-1882)." Public Broadcasting Service. N.p., n.d. Web.
24 Apr. 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ihas/poet/emerson.html>.
2. "The Living Legacy of Ralph Waldo Emerson." Harvard Square Library. N.p., n.d.
Web. 1 May 2014. <http://www.harvardsquarelibrary.org/collection/
living-legacy-ralph-waldo-emerson/>.
3. Merriman, C. D. "Ralph Waldo Emerson." The Literature Network. Jalic Inc., 2007.
Web. 1 May 2014. <http://www.online-literature.com/emerson/>.