A talk given by Professor Gustavo A. Brandariz (University of Buenos Aires) on the idea of ‘nature’ in the works of Emerson, Thoreau, Sarmiento, Hudson and Martínez Estrada. Recorded in November 2024 as part of an international meeting honoring Argentinian writer Ezequiel Martínez Estrada on the 60th anniversary of his death. The linked video is in Spanish.

Beginning a series on the strong women in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s life with a profile of his Aunt Mary Moody Emerson, who helped raise him after his father died and had a profound influence on his life and works. Credited as being his “earliest and best teacher,” Mary laid the foundation of Transcendentalism for her nephew and was an inspired writer in her own right. She was also active in the antislavery and women’s rights movements.

Reprinted from The Public Domain Review, this essay explores the friendship of Transcendentalist illustrator Christopher Cranch and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Cranch’s collection of humorous sketches inspired by phrases from Emerson’s Nature—including his famed “transparent eyeball” drawing—is considered one of his greatest achievements.

A reflection on Emerson’s trip to the White Mountains in the summer of 1832 as he considered leaving the ministry after the death of his first wife, Ellen. Taking wisdom from his surroundings, it was there that Emerson made the decision to resign. Mountains continued to occupy a place in his imagination, itineraries, and poetry for the rest of his life.

Excerpts on the wonders of winter from Emerson’s poems, essays, and other writings, accompanied by recent photos of the snowy landscapes around his Concord home.

On this day in 1836, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s groundbreaking essay “Nature” was published, establishing the foundation of Transcendentalism.