Henry David Thoreau Biography

Henry David Thoreau was an American writer, poet and a transcendentalist thinker, most famous for his classic book ‘Walden’. A complex man with a fondness for simple living, he is known for his philosophical and naturalist writings. Born to a poor family in Concord, Thoreau received his elementary education from the Concord Academy and graduated from Harvard University. Subsequently, he taught at school for some time while pursuing his love for literature and nature alongside. He often used to wander among the woods and forest, observing the natural surroundings closely. Enchanted by nature’s beauty and persistent on exploring a simple life, in 1845, Thoreau went to live at a small cabin near Walden Pond, owned by his dear friend and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson. While staying there, Thoreau pursued his philosophical interests while recording his experiences which he later published in his masterpiece ‘Walden’. After having completed his experiment, Thoreau returned to Concord in 1847 and spent the later years primarily working on ‘Walden’ in order to publish it. In addition to being an author, he opposed the government for waging the Mexican war and also became known for his beliefs in Transcendentalism and civil disobedience. Although, he died in his forties due to illness, Thoreau’s books, articles, essays, travel journals, and poetry still captivate readers with its philosophical richness. An eminent writer with a noble persona, Thoreau intended to discover and spread the true meaning of life, a quest which his readers continue to embark on, through his revolutionary works.