Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: American Transcendentalism: Ralph Waldo Emerson
This lesson from a unit on American Transcendentalism focuses on Ralph Waldo Emerson, one of the leading transcendentalists. It features a link to his biography, and to an excerpt from his essay "Self Reliance." It also offers a quiz...
The Complete Works of Ralph Waldo Emerson
Rwe.org: Timeline of Ralph Waldo Emerson
A chronology of events in the life of Ralph Waldo Emerson and his associates. Also includes information about Emerson's philosophy, speaking engagements, and publications.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Spirit of Nationalism: Ralph Waldo Emerson
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.
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...
Lumen Learning
Lumen: Romanticism: "The American Scholar" by Ralph Waldo Emerson
"The American Scholar" is a speech given by Ralph Waldo Emerson on August 31, 1837, to the Phi Beta Kappa Society at Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was invited to speak in recognition of his groundbreaking work "Nature" in which he...
Repeat After Us
Repeat After Us: "Song of Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson
[To hear audio, use Chrome browser.] This site offers the text and the audio of the poem "Song of Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
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.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Beauty of the Everyday
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]
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...
Academy of American Poets
Poets.org: "Song of Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson
Full text of the poem "Song of Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882).
CommonLit
Common Lit: Excerpt From "Self Reliance" by Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Transcendentalist movement of the 1820s-1830s promoted the ideas of intuition, independence, and inherent goodness in humans and nature. This excerpt comes from Emerson's most famous essay. "Self-Reliance," which discusses similar...
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...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Louisa May Alcott: Transcendentalism
Explore the impact of transcendentalism on the life of Louisa May Alcott and American society in this video [4:00] from the American Masters film Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind 'Little Women.' Emphasizing self-reliance, civil...
Virginia Commonwealth University
American Transcendentalism Web: Ralph Waldo Emerson
This resource includes a short biography of Emerson and links to related sites.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: American Literature and Composition: Transcendentalism
This is an introduction to the Transcendentalism period (1836-1860) in American Literature. It focuses on the beliefs and characteristics of transcendentalism and its leading authors: Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson and...
Eserver
E Server: The Thoreau Reader: "Cape Cod"
The Thoreau Reader includes a full online text of Henry David Thoreau's compelling book-length commentary on nature and society, "Cape Cod." Also includes maps, reviews, and further links and information to this work.
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Examining Transcendentalism
Interactive lesson plan that allows young scholars to view the works and ideas of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau through the popular culture of their time. Students use multiple genres to grasp the concepts of...
Curated OER
American Writers: Emerson & Thoreau
An informational site on Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Includes general information about each one's life, works, and writings, including Nature and Walden. Also includes links to other sites.
Texas A&M University
American Transcendentalism Web
A scholarly site with many articles about American transcendental authors, their work, and philosophy.
Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors: Web English Teacher: Henry David Thoreau
Learn more about the author Henry David Thoreau when you explore this resource. This site provides links to lesson plans and activities for some of his works.
Digital History
Digital History: American Transcendentalism
A detailed look at the philosophy behind American Transcendalism, and a discussion of many of those who practiced it.