Henry David Thoreau

Date of Birth: July 12, 1817

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: May 6, 1862

Biography

Henry David Thoreau was an American naturalist, essayist, poet, and philosopher, best known for his book “Walden,” a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay “Civil Disobedience,” an argument for disobedience to an unjust state. Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts, and was a leading transcendentalist. His work has influenced a wide range of literary figures, social activists, environmentalists, and political leaders. Thoreau’s philosophy of civil disobedience influenced notable figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. His observations on nature and his advocacy for simple living have made him a prominent figure in environmental ethics. Thoreau’s work continues to be a source of inspiration for those seeking a deeper understanding of the relationship between humanity and the natural world.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry David Thoreau

1. Thoreau’s real name was David Henry Thoreau; he reversed his first two names after graduating from Harvard.

2. He built his famous cabin at Walden Pond on land owned by his friend and mentor, Ralph Waldo Emerson.

3. Thoreau was an early advocate for the abolition of slavery and participated in the Underground Railroad.

4. He coined the term “civil disobedience” in his essay advocating resistance to unjust laws.

5. Thoreau was an accomplished surveyor, and his detailed observations of nature were ahead of his time in environmental science.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Henry David Thoreau

1. “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”

2. “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.”

3. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life.”

4. “Our life is frittered away by detail… simplify, simplify.”

5. “The only obligation which I have a right to assume is to do at any time what I think right.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Henry David Thoreau did not accumulate significant wealth during his lifetime. His highest net worth was modest, reflective of his simple lifestyle and the limited commercial success of his works during his life.