born to parents that were very intelligent, yet poor and undistinguished. Despite their struggle

with poverty, "their home was a center of affection and vivacity." Thoreau was the third of four children

and he showed an early love of nature and was the "scholar" of the family, going on to learn many

languages. Because Henry showed so much promise as a student, his parents sent him to Concord

Academy. He later went on to attend Harvard College. With the help of his aunts, and by doing odd

jobs and tutoring, he managed to afford the tuition. Interestingly enough, he graduated from Harvard in

1837 as an honor student and a speaker at commencement, yet he was still unknown.

During his lifetime, Thoreau tried his hand at an assortment of odd jobs. His first

experiment was with teaching. He, along with his older brother John, opened a private school,

but the school was forced to close down after John became ill in 1841. He lived with his friend

and fellow scholar Ralph Waldo Emerson, keeping house and doing chores in exchange for rent

and board. In 1843, he journeyed to the home of Emerson's brothe

speaker, but lacked Emerson's skill of fully communicating with his audience. His last excursion was

Massachusetts" (1854) and " A Plea for John Brown" (1859), display his strong feelings

Some common words found in the essay are:
Civil Disobedience, Walden September, Walden Pond, Harvard College, Massachusetts July, Thoreau Walden, Ellen Seawall, Walden Thoreau, Concord Mass, Mexican War, civil disobedience, walden pond, john brown, odd jobs, passive resistance, walden written,
Approximate Word count = 1252
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)