Where's Waldo?

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

According to the chronology of Ralph Waldo Emerson's life contained in the Library of America edition of his Essays and Lectures, Emerson decided in his junior year at Harvard that he wanted to be known as "Waldo," not "Ralph." Hence the title of the present "Author of the Month" post.

"Where's Waldo?" It's a good question, just as last month we might have asked "Where's Blaise?" How do we situate the "greats." We learn in school that Emerson was (a) a minister, (b) the first American intellectual of international caliber, (c) an American Romantic (Romanticist?), (d) a Transcendentalist.  In these two latter capacities he influenced Henry David Thoreau and the great son of Huntington, Walt Whitman, among many others.

We also know he published a number of essays that became famous, such as "Nature," "Compensation," and this month's selection, "Self-Reliance." Emerson is a disciple of Montaigne in that regard. I believe, however, that Emerson deserves to be received as a preacher delivering an inspiring sermon, as he was at one time at the Unitarian Second Church in Boston.

I would recommend that you seek out a sound recording of "Self-Reliance" and give it a listen. It just might afford a different take on Emerson's deep thoughts and beautiful language. If you find Waldo, tell us where.