"Representative Men" is a collection of seven lectures given by Ralph Waldo Emerson in the mid-19th century. The lectures explore the lives and ideas of several influential figures from history, including Plato, Shakespeare, Montaigne, Napoleon, and Goethe. Emerson uses these figures as examples of what he calls "representative men," individuals who embody the ideals and principles of their time and culture. He argues that by studying the lives and works of these individuals, we can gain insight into the broader patterns of human history and society. Each lecture focuses on a different figure and their unique contributions to philosophy, literature, politics, or culture. For example, the lecture on Shakespeare examines his role in shaping the English language and his insights into human nature, while the lecture on Napoleon discusses his military and political achievements. Throughout the lectures, Emerson emphasizes the importance of individualism, creativity, and self-reliance. He argues that these values are essential for anyone seeking to make a meaningful contribution to society and that they can be cultivated by studying the lives of representative men and women from history. Overall, "Representative Men" is a celebration of human potential and a call to action for individuals to pursue their own unique paths in life.
Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on 25 May 1803, in Newbury, Massachusetts. He was an American writer, speaker, philosopher, abolitionist, and poet. Less than two weeks before Emerson's eighth birthday, on May 12, 1811, his father died from stomach cancer. When Emerson was nine years old, his official education at the Boston Latin School started. In 1824, Ralph Waldo Emerson received his degree from Harvard Divinity School. In 1827, he wed Ellen Louisa Tucker, and the two of them settled in Boston. I have not forgotten the calm and joy, Ellen said as she died in 1831. After his wife died in 1832, Emerson resigned from the ministry. He traveled around Europe in 1833 and later wrote about his experiences in English Traits (1856). On July 24, 1872, Emerson's Concord house caught fire. Emerson's career as a serious lecturer came to an end with the fire. Emerson went on vacation to England, continental Europe, and Egypt while the home was being renovated. He stopped making public appearances in 1879 due to memory issues. He was diagnosed with pneumonia on April 21, 1882. Six days later he died.
