Francis Herbert Hedge

Date of Birth: December 12, 1805

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: August 21, 1890

Biography

Frederic Henry Hedge was born on December 12, 1805, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was an American philosopher, Unitarian minister, and a pivotal figure in the Transcendentalist movement, which included notable contemporaries such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. Hedge was a scholar of German philosophy and literature, and he played a critical role in introducing German Idealism to American thought. Hedge’s academic journey began at Harvard University, where he graduated in 1825. He then studied theology at the Harvard Divinity School and became a minister. Throughout his career, Hedge contributed significantly to American intellectual life through his sermons, essays, and philosophical writings. He was a founding member of the Transcendental Club, which was central to the Transcendentalist movement. Hedge also held various academic positions, including a professorship at Harvard, where he taught German literature and philosophy. His works often explored themes of individualism, spirituality, and the interplay between reason and faith.

5 Interesting Facts about Francis Herbert Hedge

1. Frederic Henry Hedge was instrumental in introducing German philosophers such as Immanuel Kant and Johann Gottlieb Fichte to American scholars.

2. He was a founding member of the Transcendental Club, which played a significant role in the development of Transcendentalist thought.

3. Hedge’s translation of Goethe’s “Faust” was highly regarded and influenced American literature and philosophy.

4. He served as a Unitarian minister in several congregations, including those in Bangor, Maine, and Providence, Rhode Island.

5. Hedge was a prolific writer, contributing numerous essays and articles to various philosophical and theological journals.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Francis Herbert Hedge

1. “The great end of life is not knowledge but action.”

2. “Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see.”

3. “The true philosophical question is not what is knowledge, but what is life.”

4. “Reason is the natural order of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning.”

5. “Every age has its own outlook. It is specially good at seeing certain truths and specially liable to make certain mistakes.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

There is no recorded information on Frederic Henry Hedge’s highest net worth, as financial records of historical philosophers are often not documented.

Children

Frederic Henry Hedge married Lucy Pierce in 1830, and they had several children. However, specific details about his children are sparse in historical records, and their lives were relatively private compared to his public intellectual pursuits.