Ralph Waldo Emerson a. revival preacher b. leader in the public school movement c. founder of a school for people with speech and hearing difficulties d. reformer of hospitals for people with mental illnesses e. publisher of abolitionist newspaper f. leader in women's rights movement g. poet reflecting the spirit of democracy h. transcendentalist writer

- gave a speech at Harvard

- promoted intellectual independence and urged american authors to move away from european ideas

- was an essayist, lecturer, and poet

- shared his thoughts through dozens of published essays and more than 1,500 public lectures across the United States

-champion of individualism

- wrote most of his important essays as lectures first, then revised them for print

- influenced many people

- he led the Transcendentalist movement

- champion of individualism and a prescient critic of the countervailing pressures of society

-his words have been passed down from generation to generation

-beloved writer; his words embody an important facet of the American experience