Essays: 1st And 2nd Series

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Essays: First Series, published in 1841, and Essays: Second Series, published in 1844, are collections of essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson that delve into transcendentalism. The first series includes essays such as "Self-Reliance," "Compensation," and "The Over-Soul," while the second features "The Poet," "Experience," and "Politics." Emerson, an influential American essayist, lecturer, and poet, was a leading figure in the transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century, advocating for individualism and critiquing societal pressures. He articulated his philosophical ideas in his 1836 essay "Nature" and further developed them in his renowned speech "The American Scholar" in 1837, which has been described as America's intellectual declaration of independence. Emerson's essays were often initially delivered as lectures before being revised for publication. His works reflect his exploration of individuality, freedom, and the connection between the soul and the universe, emphasizing a philosophical rather than a strictly naturalistic view of nature. He is recognized for his pantheistic approach, rejecting the notion of a God separate from the world. Emerson's influence extends to many thinkers and writers who followed, and he is remembered for his central doctrine of "the infinitude of the private man." He was also a mentor to fellow transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau.