Date of Birth: October 3, 1802
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: July 4, 1880
Biography
George Ripley was an influential 19th-century American social reformer, Unitarian minister, and journalist. Born in Greenfield, Massachusetts, Ripley is best known as a central figure in the transcendentalist movement and for founding the utopian community of Brook Farm in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. An advocate for social justice and human rights, Ripley dedicated his life to progressive causes, including the abolition of slavery and the promotion of gender equality. Ripley attended Harvard College and later Harvard Divinity School, where he was deeply influenced by the transcendentalist philosophy espoused by contemporaries such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. In 1841, he left the Unitarian ministry to establish Brook Farm, an experimental communal living arrangement based on cooperative principles and shared labor. Though the community dissolved in 1847, its ideals of equality, education, and intellectual freedom left a lasting impact on American thought. After Brook Farm, Ripley became a literary critic and editor for the New York Tribune, where he championed the works of new American authors and advocated for social reform. His writings and public speeches continued to inspire and challenge societal norms until his death.
5 Interesting Facts about George Ripley
1. George Ripley was a founding member of the transcendentalist movement and an associate of Ralph Waldo Emerson.
2. Brook Farm, the utopian community he founded, aimed to combine intellectual pursuits with manual labor.
3. Ripley was a prolific writer and contributed to the New York Tribune for over two decades.
4. He played a significant role in promoting American literature by reviewing and supporting emerging authors.
5. Despite the financial failure of Brook Farm, its principles influenced later social movements and communities.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from George Ripley
1. “We live in an age when the fundamental principles of society are undergoing a revolution.”
2. “The most valuable results of education are not learned in school.”
3. “The great end of life is not knowledge but action.”
4. “To be truly radical is to make hope possible rather than despair convincing.”
5. “True reform can only be the outcome of an enlightened and educated society.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
George Ripley’s highest net worth was modest, as he primarily focused on social reform and intellectual pursuits rather than accumulating wealth.
Children
George Ripley and his wife, Sophia Willard Dana Ripley, did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [George Ripley – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Ripley_(transcendentalist
2. [Brook Farm – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brook_Farm
