Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Transcendentalism, an American Philosophy
A good look at the first major American philosophy, transcendentalism. Read about the ideas that transcendentalists believed, and find out the members of the Transcendental Club. Many American authors of the time espoused the ideals of...
Lumen Learning
Lumen: American Romanticism: "Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson
This is the text of the essay "Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson, the foundation of transcendentalism, a belief system that espouses a non-traditional appreciation of nature. Transcendentalism suggests that the divine, or God, suffuses...
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: Transcendentalism: The Dial
Cambridge History of English and American Literature entry for the Transcendental Club's publication, "The Dial." Provides a history of the publication and its contributing writers.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: Philosophy and Literature: Two Philosophies
Explains what the 'Scottish philosophy' was and how well it fitted with American sensibilities in the 1800s. Over time it evolved into the American philosophy of Pragmatism. The other philosophy that took hold in some groups of society...
Lumen Learning
Lumen: American Romanticism: Walden: Conclusion
This is the text of Chapter 18 of Walden by transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau. By immersing himself in nature, Thoreau hoped to gain a more objective understanding of society through personal introspection. Simple living and...
Lumen Learning
Lumen: American Literature: Introduction to Romantic Literature
This introduction to Romantic literature focuses on the learning outcomes of the study of various pieces of American Romantic literature. These include describe the major historical and cultural developments of the Romantic period,...
New Advent
Catholic Encyclopedia: Transcendentalism
An explanation of different types of transcendentalism is found at this site along with a paragraph about New England Transcendentalism. Please note that ?The Catholic Encyclopedia? is a historic reference source and should be viewed in...
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University: American Romanticism: Reading Walden
This Virginia Commonwealth University site discusses the language and rhetoric used in Walden, accompanied by questions about how to interpret it.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: American Masters Collection: Louisa May Alcott
This is a collection of two video lessons about Louisa May Alcott and her works especially "Little Women."
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Spirit of Nationalism: Margaret Fuller
Margaret Fuller is featured for her writings during the transcendentalist movement of the nineteenth century, considered progressive for her times as women of the era were not taught to think. Click "Margaret Fuller Activities" for...
Washington State University
Washington State University: Literary Movements
This Washington State University site provides a wonderful source for all the literary movements that have taken place in American Literature from 1620-1920. Click on the movement (listed on the left)you are interested in (Naturalism,...
Lumen Learning
Lumen: American Romanticism: Walden: Economy
This is text and audio of Chapters 1-4 of Walden; or, Life in the Woods, by transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau. It is a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings and a manual for self-reliance.
University of Michigan
American Verse Project: Early Poems of Ralph Waldo Emerson
Read and search for thirty poems by Ralph Waldo Emerson, taken from the book "Early Poems." Includes a brief biography of Emerson.
Eserver
E Server: The Thoreau Reader: Annotated Works of Henry David Thoreau
This website provides an introduction to and the the text of some of Thoreau's most famous works.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: American Lit and Composition: Transcendentalism: Phrases
This lesson focuses on various types of phrases including: Prepositional, Appositive, Participial, Gerund, and Infinitive. It defines each and provides examples; these are followed by a self-assessment identifying the different types of...
Other
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Transcendentalist Philosopher
Information and lesson ideas pertaining to the famous American thinker. The yellow, left side of the page contains teaching ideas, and the white, right side of the page contains background.
Bartleby
Bartleby.com: Cambridge His of Eng and Am Lit: Place of Emerson in Amer Letters
This chapter from vol. XV of The Cambridge History of English and American Literature is the starting point of an extensive resource for students who wish to study the life and works of this major American literary figure. Includes...
Lumen Learning
Lumen: Romanticism: "Self Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Self-Reliance" is an essay written by American transcendentalist philosopher and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson. It contains the most thorough statement of one of Emerson's recurrent themes, the need for each individual to avoid...
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: Ralph Waldo Emerson
This Poets.org entry for the 19th century American poet, essayist, and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) provides biographical information, a select bibliography, and contemporary photograph as well as links to related writers...
Eserver
E Server: The Thoreau Reader: Introduction to the Works of Thoreau
An excellent article detailing the major events of the life and works of Henry David Thoreau. Complete with links to Thoreau's most famous works and interesting details about his life.
Eserver
E Server: The Thoreau Reader: What Did Henry Look Like?
Two online photos of Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862 CE). Also provides commentary and quotes on the man's physical nature and appearance.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Henry Thoreau
A nice biography on Henry David Thoreau's life, centering mostly on his literary skills.
Stanford University
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Ralph Waldo Emerson
At this website, read about the significant events in Emerson's life and learn about the major themes present in his writing.
Other
Blupete: Thoughts on Thoreau and "Walden"
This site presents a summary of each chapter of Thoreau's book "Walden" along with some quotes from each chapter of the book and commentary by Peter Landry.