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Henry Thoreau - College Essay

Henry Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on July 12, 1817. He was
born to parents that were very intelligent, yet poor and undistinguished. Despite their struggle
with poverty, "their home was a center of affection and vivacity." Thoreau was the third of four children
and he showed an early love of nature and was the "scholar" of the family, going on to learn many
languages. Because Henry showed so much promise as a student, his parents sent him to Concord

Academy. He later went on to attend Harvard College. With the help of his aunts, and by doing odd

jobs and tutoring, he managed to afford the tuition. Interestingly enough, he graduated from Harvard in
...

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to the home of Emerson’s brother William to tutor. Soon after

the death of John in 1842, Thoreau went to live at Walden Pond, partially as a tribute to his

beloved brother. When he returned from Walden in September of 1847, he again performed an

assortment of jobs. He hired himself out as a painter, carpenter, mason, or a day-laborer

believing "the occupation of a day-laborer to be the most independent of any," he also became

interested in surveying land and went on to become one of the best surveyors in Concord. He even

made time to contribute to the family pencil-making business by inventing a graphite flotation process

which made Thoreau pencils superior to those of competitors.

During his travels, Thoreau also lectured on issues such as slavery. He was an effective

speaker, but lacked Emerson’s skill of fully communicating with his audience. His last excursion was

made to Minnesota in 1861. He left, hoping that ...

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Henry Thoreau. (2007, December 7). Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Henry-Thoreau/75471

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"Henry Thoreau." Essayworld.com. December 7, 2007. Accessed January 6, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Henry-Thoreau/75471.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 12/7/2007 10:23:32 AM
Category: World History
Type: Free Paper
Words: 1166
Pages: 5

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