HenryDavid Thoreau was an American author, poet, philosopher, abolitionist, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, and civil disobedience theorist.
He is best known for his book Walden, a reflection upon simple living in natural surroundings, and his essay "Civil Disobedience," an argument for individual resistance to civil government in moral opposition to its policies.
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Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on July 12, 1817. He was educated at Harvard University, where he studied classics and philosophy.
After graduating from Harvard, Thoreau worked as a teacher and a pencil maker. However, he eventually gave up these jobs to focus on his writing and his philosophy of simple living.
In 1845, Thoreau built a small cabin on Walden Pond near Concord. He lived in the cabin for two years and two months, during which time he wrote extensively about his experiences. Walden was published in 1854 and became an instant classic.
Thoreau was also a vocal critic of slavery and social injustice. He refused to pay taxes to support the Mexican-American War, and he spent a night in jail for his refusal. He also wrote extensively about the importance of civil disobedience, arguing that individuals have a moral obligation to disobey unjust laws.
Thoreau died in Concord on May 6, 1862, at the age of 44.
Family Overview
Henry David Thoreau came from a family with Massachusetts Bay Colony ties but had originally settled in New Jersey.
They had originated from French Huguenots who migrated from France to the 13 Original Colonies, which were under British control.
His parents had four children, and his prior family members had many children, but this would not be the case for Henry and his siblings.
Henry and his three siblings did not marry or have any children. His father's line ended in this generation.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
John Thoreau (1787 - 1859) - was born in Massachusetts Bay Colony shortly before it became a state. At the age of 13, he moved to Concord. He eventually met and married his wife.
Cynthia Dunbar (1787 - 1872) - She had four children and outlived her husband. She was alive during the birth of the country and lived to see it get past the Civil War.
Spouse: None
Children: None
Siblings:
Helen Louisa Thoreau (1812 - 1849) - She died at the age of 36 and never married. Little is known of her.
John Thoreau Jr. (1814 - 1842) - He also died young and did not marry or have any children.
Sophia Elizabeth Thoreau (1819 - 1876) - She was the last of the Thoreau children. She, like the rest of her siblings, did not marry or have any children.