Critical Miscellanies, Vol. 1, Essay 5: Emerson

Name: Critical Miscellanies, Vol. 1, Essay 5: Emerson
Author: John Morley

By John Morley

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About This Book

The essay traces the life and thought of Ralph Waldo Emerson, recounting his New England upbringing, brief ministry and resignation, European travels, Concord residence, friendships with literary contemporaries, publication of essays, lectures, and poems, and later years. It examines his style and lecturing manner, noting simplicity, sincerity, and distinctive use of language, and appraises his verses and library. Morley situates Emerson's ideas within the intuitive, a priori tradition derived from Coleridge and Kant, characterizing his transcendentalism as essentially ethical and poetic rather than systematic philosophy, and discusses recurring themes such as solitude, moral reform, domestic manners, and the guidance his teaching offers to individual spiritual life.

About the Author

John Morley

John Morley was a prominent English writer, politician, and journalist known for his insightful essays and critiques on political philosophy and literature. He served as a member of Parliament and held various governmental roles, including Postmaster General. Morley's notable works include 'Burke,' a critical examination of the political thought of Edmund Burke, and the 'Critical Miscellanies' series, which features essays on influential figures such as Robespierre, Turgot, and George Eliot. His writings reflect a deep engagement with the intellectual currents of his time, contributing significantly to the discourse on liberalism and social reform.