Emerson Centenary Essays

One hundred years after Ralph Waldo Emerson’s death in Concord is an appropriate time to assess his life and writings. The eleven essays here presented, along with new documentary and manuscript material soon to be made available, will provide a fresh impetus for subsequent studies of Emerson as man and writer. The first four essays trace Emerson’s development through the publication of his first series of Essays in 1841: Evelyn Barish describes Emerson’s early illness and how his decision to deal with sickness influenced his philosophy; Wesley T. Mott shows the importance of the sermon Christ Crucified” to Emerson’s intellectual development; Jerome Loving shows how Emerson’s change in vocation and his change in philosophical outlook went hand in hand; Glen M. Johnson demonstrates how Emerson developed a sense of himself as a professional author. The next three essays cover the period from 1841 to 1844 and include David Robinson’s examination of The Method of Nature as marking a crucial point in Emerson’s life. Richard Lee Francis and David W. Hill show Emerson seeking his persona in Essays: Second Series and evaluate the significance of his eventual authorial voice. The subsequent essays range widely: Sanford E. Marovitz surveys and evaluates Emerson’s long-time interest in Shakespeare; Robert E. Burkholder discusses the response of the press to English Traits; Ronald A. Sudol shows that Emerson’s reaction to technology is embodied in the poem, The Adirondacs”; and Merton M. Sealts, Jr., concludes with a reminder that Emerson was, in precept and in life, a teacher.