Henry David Thoreau

Date of Birth: July 12, 1817

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: May 6, 1862

Biography

Henry David Thoreau, born as David Henry Thoreau, was an American author, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, and historian. He was born on July 12, 1817, in Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau is 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 attended Harvard College (now University) where he was known for his independence and individuality. After college, he returned to Concord and became friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson, who introduced him to the Transcendentalist movement. Thoreau’s work often explored themes of nature, individuality, and social reform. In 1845, Thoreau began his famous two-year experiment in simple living at Walden Pond, which served as the basis for “Walden.” An ardent abolitionist, Thoreau also delivered lectures that attacked the Fugitive Slave Law and defended John Brown. Thoreau’s health began to decline in the 1850s, and he suffered from tuberculosis, which ultimately led to his death at the age of 44 on May 6, 1862. Despite his relatively short life, Thoreau’s work has had a lasting impact on American literature and philosophy.

5 Interesting Facts about Henry David Thoreau

1. Thoreau’s original name was David Henry Thoreau; he reversed his first and middle names after graduating from Harvard.

2. Thoreau was jailed for a night in 1846 for refusing to pay a poll tax, an act of protest against slavery and the Mexican-American War.

3. His book “Walden” is considered one of the greatest works of American literature and philosophy, focusing on nature, simplicity, and self-sufficiency.

4. Thoreau was a proficient pencil maker and improved the method of mixing graphite with clay to produce pencils.

5. He was an early advocate for the conservation of nature and has been called one of the first environmentalists.

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. “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Thoreau did not achieve significant financial success during his lifetime. His highest net worth is not well-documented but is believed to have been modest, as he lived a life focused on simplicity and minimalism rather than wealth accumulation.