Edward Waldo Emerson

Daguerreotype Lydia Jackson Emerson and Edward Waldo Emerson 1840

Edward Waldo Emerson (July 10, 1844 – January 27, 1930) was an American physician, writer, and lecturer. He was the son of the famous Ralph Waldo Emerson, a prominent transcendentalist philosopher and essayist.

Early Life and Education

Edward Waldo Emerson was born in Concord, Massachusetts, to Ralph Waldo Emerson and Lidian Jackson Emerson. He grew up in a household frequented by notable intellectuals and writers of the time, including Henry David Thoreau, Margaret Fuller, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Edward attended Harvard College, where he graduated in 1866. He later earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1874.

Career

After completing his medical education, Edward Waldo Emerson practiced medicine in Concord for several years. However, he eventually shifted his focus to writing and lecturing, following in his father's literary footsteps. He wrote several books and essays, many of which centered on his father's life and work. His notable works include Emerson in Concord (1888) and The Early Years of the Saturday Club (1918).

Edward was also an accomplished artist and illustrated some of his own works. He was actively involved in the Concord Antiquarian Society and contributed to the preservation of Concord's historical heritage.

Personal Life

Edward Waldo Emerson married Annie Shepard Keyes in 1874, and the couple had seven children. He was deeply involved in the cultural and intellectual life of Concord, maintaining the Emerson family's legacy of intellectual and social engagement.

Legacy

Edward Waldo Emerson is remembered for his contributions to literature and his efforts to preserve the legacy of his father and the transcendentalist movement. His works provide valuable insights into the life and times of Ralph Waldo Emerson and the intellectual milieu of 19th-century America.

Selected Works

• Emerson in Concord (1888)
• The Early Years of the Saturday Club (1918)
• Henry Thoreau as Remembered by a Young Friend (1917)

See Also

• Ralph Waldo Emerson
• Transcendentalism
• Concord, Massachusetts
• Harvard College
• Harvard Medical School