This features a brief biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson, an optimistic Transcendentalist author who's personal life was filled with tragedy. See "Ralph Waldo Emerson Activities" for related materials.

Lesson on Emerson's views about self-reliance and individualism and how embracing those ideas affects society. Contents include teacher notes, vocabulary, background information, text analysis and Close reading questions.

[To hear audio, use Chrome browser.] This site offers the text and audio of the poem "Insight" by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

[To hear audio, use Chrome browser.] This site offers the text and audio of the poem The Sphinx" by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Ralph Waldo Emerson taught us about the presence of nature and something a little divine inside all of us; simultaneously helping usher in what was considered, "America's intellectual declaration of independence." [10:52]

At this website, read about the significant events in Emerson's life and learn about the major themes present in his writing.

Read a series of essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson concerning transcendentalism in his "Essays, 2nd Series".

Houghton Mifflin site has an entry that discusses major themes, historical issues, writing style, audience, and literary criticism for Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882). Contains discussion/study questions and a bibliography.

Essay on Emerson, Thoreau and the Hudson River School and the legacy it left. Section for guiding student discussion and scholar's debate.

This lesson plan focuses on the Romantic Period's essayists and poets such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, the Brahmin Poets, and more.

A brief timeline which includes American literature and American historical events. Ranges from 1830 to 1839. Includes the first co-educational college, Oberlin College. Hyperlinks to various authors of the period.