Henry David Thoreau
- Born:
- July 12, 1817, Concord, Massachusetts, USA
- Died:
- May 6, 1862, Concord, Massachusetts, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Author, Poet, Philosopher, Abolitionist, Naturalist, Tax Resister, Development Critic, Surveyor
Early Life and Education
- Born David Henry Thoreau (he later reversed his first and middle names).
- Graduated from Harvard College in 1837.
- Briefly worked as a schoolteacher before opening a private school with his brother John.
- The school closed after John became ill.
Career and Major Achievements
- Supported himself through various occupations, including pencil-making and surveying.
- Lived at Walden Pond in a cabin he built himself from 1845 to 1847. This experience formed the basis of his most famous work, Walden.
- Advocated for civil disobedience as a form of protest against unjust laws.
- Opposed slavery and the Mexican-American War.
- Delivered lectures and wrote extensively on nature, philosophy, and social issues.
- His essay "Civil Disobedience" (originally titled "Resistance to Civil Government") has influenced many later activists and thinkers.
Notable Works
- Walden; or, Life in the Woods (1854)
- "Civil Disobedience" (1849)
- A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers (1849)
- Cape Cod (1865, posthumously published)
- Numerous essays and journal entries, often collected and published posthumously.
Legacy and Impact
Henry David Thoreau's writings on nature, individualism, and resistance to unjust authority have had a profound influence on literature, philosophy, and political thought. The enduring relevance of his work, especially his advocacy for environmentalism and civil disobedience, confirms his position as a major figure in American intellectual history. Understanding 'henry david thoreau background information' provides valuable context for interpreting his philosophical and literary contributions.