Henry David Thoreau

12 July 1817 – 6 May 1862

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) was an American essayist, naturalist and philosopher, a leading figure of Transcendentalism. He is best known for Walden, his account of two years living simply beside Walden Pond, and for the essay 'Civil Disobedience', which influenced later movements of nonviolent resistance.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Henry David Thoreau.

Life events

Born in Concord, Massachusetts
12 July 1817

David Henry Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts, where his family ran a pencil-making business.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Studied at Harvard College
1833 – 1837

Thoreau attended Harvard College from 1833 to 1837, studying rhetoric, classics, philosophy, mathematics and science.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Befriended Ralph Waldo Emerson
c. 1837

Around 1837 Thoreau formed a close friendship with Ralph Waldo Emerson, who became his mentor and introduced him to the Transcendentalist circle.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Ran a school in Concord with his brother John
1838 – 1841

Thoreau and his brother John operated the Concord Academy grammar school from 1838 until John's illness forced its closure in 1841.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Began his experiment at Walden Pond
4 July 1845 – 6 September 1847

On 4 July 1845 Thoreau moved into a small cabin he had built on Emerson's land beside Walden Pond, living there for two years, two months and two days.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Jailed for refusing to pay the poll tax
July 1846

In July 1846 Thoreau spent a night in the Concord jail for refusing to pay a poll tax in protest against slavery and the Mexican-American War, an experience that inspired 'Civil Disobedience'.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published 'Civil Disobedience'
May 1849

Thoreau's essay 'Resistance to Civil Government', later known as 'Civil Disobedience', was published in 1849 and later influenced Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Published Walden; or, Life in the Woods
9 August 1854

Walden, Thoreau's reflection on simple living in natural surroundings, was published on 9 August 1854 and became an American classic.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died of tuberculosis in Concord
6 May 1862

Thoreau died of tuberculosis at his family home in Concord at age 44 and was buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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