The eminent citizen and essayist cum poet! Meet Ralph Waldo Emerson and learn about his married life and career!

Ralph was born on 25 May 1803 in Boston, MA. His parents were Ruth Haskins and Rev. William Emerson who was a Unitarian minister. He was the second of five of their surviving sons. They were William, Edward, Robert Bulkeley, and Charles.

The children who had died were Phebe, John Clarke, and Mary Caroline. He has pure English descent. Just before his 8th birthday, his father died of stomach cancer. His mother and aunt raise the kids.

He was enrolled at Boston Latin School when he was 9 years old. At the age of 14, he attended Harvard Colege and used to serve the then-President of sending messages of delinquents to the faculty. To cover his school fees, Ralph did odd jobs including that of a waiter and teacher. He was also the class poet.

Due to poor health, Ralph went in search of a warmer climate and reached St. Augustine, Florida where he restarted writing poetry. He became friends with Napolean Bonaparte’s nephew, Prince Achille Murat.

He saw slavery in St. Augustine and also enjoyed long discussions with Prince on various topics.

He started a school at his mother’s house and became its schoolmaster. He then became a junior pastor at the Boston Church and got busy with other activities as well. In 1833, he toured Europe and wrote of this travel in English traits in 1856. He met several eminent writers during this time.

Ralph in 1836 got like-minded individuals and formed the Transcendental Club. He published his first essay Nature in the same year. He gained fame and was also invited to various talks and orations. He soon entered into a career as a lecturer on various topics of importance.

His views on Jesus Christ and Christianity outraged many and he was dubbed an atheist.

He published his second book Essays in 1841. It got favorable reviews in London and Paris. He continued writing poems. In 1844, he published Essays: Second Series. He earned through his books as well as lectures and used to have as many as 80 lectures a year.

In 1847-1848, he toured the British Isles and observed the French Revolution of 1848.

Ralph met his first wife Ellen Tucker in 1827 in Concord, New Hampshire, and married her when she turned 18. However, she died in 1831 due to TB. He proposed and married Lydia Jackson in 1835. He purchased a house in Concord and the family resided there. He had 4 children-Waldo, Ellen, Edith, and Edward Waldo Emerson.

Ralph started getting unwell in 1867 and his writings minimized. In 1871-72, he faced memory loss issues. He used to forget his name at times. If someone asked him how he was, he would respond:

His house got fire and the family sought shelter with some friends. He toured with his daughter Ellen and also in 1874 published his collection of poetry. He decreased his public appearances since he was embarrassed due to his memory loss. He died of pneumonia on 21 April 1882.

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