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

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

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.

An introductory essay explaining the roots and basic ideas of Transcendentalism.

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)

Mary Moody Emerson, Margaret Fuller, from your About.com Guide to Women's History.

Harriet Martineau, the Peabody sisters and Julia Ward Howe, from your About.com Guide to Women's History.

Brief definition, plus some links.

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.

Detailed history of American Transcendentalism.

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.

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

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

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)

From students at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Open-minded people must use common sense to determine whether God/Allah was incorrectly perceived, misinterpreted and misunderstood by the masses of a bygone era.