Comparing Henry David Thoreau's Life And Teachings
Henry David Thoreau
(1817-1862)
Matthew Smith
US History AP
Mr. Thomas
Hueneme High School Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts on July 12, 1817 and has always been a unique individual. One of his first memories is looking into the stars and trying to see God behind them. Thoreau is infamous for his transcendental beliefs and for being an antislavery activist. Also, he is widely known for his philosophical books Walden and Civil Disobedience. Henry David Thoreau grew up with his parents John and Cynthia Thoreau. John was a small-town businessman and shop-keeper. Henry was the third child, having an older sister, Helen, and an older brother, John Jr. He also had a younger sister named Sophia. In 1818, the family moved from Concord to Boston for John’s work. In 1823 the family moved back. It was here, in Concord, that John began operating a pencil factory. This brought the family to financial stability. …show more content…
After graduating from the academy, Henry began his studies at Harvard in 1833. He studied Greek, Latin, German, Mathematics, and Intellectual Philosophy. John Jr. taught school to help pay for Henry’s tuition. Henry and John were very close, and unfortunately, John died of lock jaw in his brother’s arms. Henry eventually had to drop out of Harvard due to financial factors. Henry worked for several years as a surveyor and a pencil maker with his father. In fact, Henry created the modern pencil by using clay to bind the graphite and wood. His new, smear free pencil spurted the company’s success, eventually causing it to become America’s number one pencil producer. By age 28, Henry David Thoreau had his sights set on writing his first
(1817-1862)
Matthew Smith
US History AP
Mr. Thomas
Hueneme High School Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts on July 12, 1817 and has always been a unique individual. One of his first memories is looking into the stars and trying to see God behind them. Thoreau is infamous for his transcendental beliefs and for being an antislavery activist. Also, he is widely known for his philosophical books Walden and Civil Disobedience. Henry David Thoreau grew up with his parents John and Cynthia Thoreau. John was a small-town businessman and shop-keeper. Henry was the third child, having an older sister, Helen, and an older brother, John Jr. He also had a younger sister named Sophia. In 1818, the family moved from Concord to Boston for John’s work. In 1823 the family moved back. It was here, in Concord, that John began operating a pencil factory. This brought the family to financial stability. …show more content…
After graduating from the academy, Henry began his studies at Harvard in 1833. He studied Greek, Latin, German, Mathematics, and Intellectual Philosophy. John Jr. taught school to help pay for Henry’s tuition. Henry and John were very close, and unfortunately, John died of lock jaw in his brother’s arms. Henry eventually had to drop out of Harvard due to financial factors. Henry worked for several years as a surveyor and a pencil maker with his father. In fact, Henry created the modern pencil by using clay to bind the graphite and wood. His new, smear free pencil spurted the company’s success, eventually causing it to become America’s number one pencil producer. By age 28, Henry David Thoreau had his sights set on writing his first