EMERSON, Ralph Waldo (1803-1882):
American essayist and leader of the TRANSCENDENTALIST
movement. He was minister of the UNITARIAN SECOND CHURCH of Boston (1829-1832) but
resigned over THEOLOGICAL issues to become an independent lecturer and writer. His
PHILOSOPHY drew on YOGIC religions to combined RATIONALISM and MYSTICISM. It also
encouraged a strong emphasis on self-reliance and a BELIEF in the ability of the
individual to overcome all problems. Although much more profound, he was the forerunner of
Dale CARNEGIE and other "POSITIVE THINKERS" which characterize American popular
PIETY. His influence can be seen in the so-called NEW AGE MOVEMENT and a host of other
popular spiritual movements seeking inner truth.