Henry David Thoreau, an American writer, philosopher and transcendentalist, was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on July 12, 1817. His friend and fellow author Ralph Waldo Emerson spoke of Thoreau's character saying, "He was bred to no profession; he never married; he lived alone; he never went to church; he never voted; he refused to pay a tax to the state; he ate no flesh; he drank no wine; he never knew the use of tobacco; and, though a naturalist, he used neither trap nor gun- (Compton's Encyclopedia 174) Although he wrote many essays, books, poems, translations, and journals, he is best known for writing Walden. He was also a great thinker and many times his ideas left him in the minority. Although many disagreed with him, Henry David Thoreau expressed his beliefs and ideas through his actions and words. He gave lectures on his views of slavery and openly supported the abolitionist John Brown. Also, in "Civil Disobedience,"" one of his many essays, he speaks against the useless and corrupt government. He was also strongly against the Mexican War, saying it was only an expansion of slavery. Though speaking against these things is the beginning, he took the next step by refusing to participate in the American government's institutions and refused to pay taxes that supported this government. His life through the way he lived and his writings has had a great effect on our lives today.
Henry David Thoreau wrote five essays and gave many lectures against slavery. His anti-slavery views were rare, especially from a white male. Thoreau also supported abolitionists like John Brown and said that reform would only be brought about through these men's actions and that words were only inspiration and praise. He also said that the best of his poetry often applies to the case of John Brown. In his essay "After the Death of John Brown- he wrote:.
"All heads must come.
To the cold tomb, " .