Philosophy: History of Philosophy: 19th Century: American Transcendentalism

Description, definitions, bibliography, links, focused on students.

Constructed in Spring 1999 by Virginia Commonwealth University graduate students studying in Ann Woodlief's Literature in Society course. Submissions of additional texts, papers, and links are invited.

A definition of Transcendentalism, an important philosophical, religious, and literary movement of the early 19th century in the US. Transcendentalists include Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and others.

Towards a Definition of Transcendentalism: A Few Comments (from Henry David Gray, Emerson: A Statement of N. E. Transcendentalism as Expressed in the Philosophy of Its Chief Exponent, 1917)

Article by Leslie Perrin Wilson, M.S., M.A., Curator of Special Collections at the Concord Free Public Library. "This idea, roughly written in revolutions and national movements, in the mind of the philosopher had far more precision; the individual is the world." (Emerson)

Paul Reuben's outline of Transcendentalism. [Many religious scholars would disagree with his definition of religion.]

Essay on the religious context and origins of Transcendentalism.

How Emerson and Thoreau failed to apply their non-conformist ideas consistently, making their philosophy of transcendentalism one of conformity rather than liberation.

Comprehensive, easy-to-follow site on Transcendentalists includes guides to resources for Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, plus essays explaining Transcendentalism.

Brief definition, plus some links.