Ralph Waldo  EMERSON

RALPH WALDO EMERSON was one of the most noted literary men of his. time. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, May 25, 1803. He had a minister for an ancestor, either on the paternal or maternal side, in every generation for eight generations back. His father, Rev. William Emerson, was a native of Concord, Massachusetts, born May 6, 1769, graduated at Harvard, in 1789, became a Unitarian minister; was a fine writer and one of the best orators of his day; died in 1811.

Ralph Waldo Emerson was fitted for college at the public schools of Boston, and graduated at Harvard College in 1821, winning about this time several prizes for essays. For five years he taught school in Boston; in 1826 was licensed to preach, and in 1829 was ordained as a colleague to Rev. Henry Ware of the Second Unitarian church in Boston. In 1832 he resigned, making the announcement in a sermon of his ?willingness longer to administer the rite of the Lord's Supper, after which he spent about a year in Europe. Upon

From the Boston Traveller, July 24.

The homestead occupied by Mr. Ralph Waldo Emerson, in Concord, was entirely destroyed by fire this morning, the walls of the first story and the outbuildings only being left standing. Fire was discovered in the roof at about 6½ o'clock by a workman in Mr. Emerson's employ, and an alarm speedily brought the two hand-engines of the town to the spot, too late, however, to be of material service. It is presumed that the attic caught fire yesterday morning from a defective flue, and that the flames had been smouldering[sic] ever since. The furniture of the house, fortunately, was saved, as was also the valuable library which was in Mr. Emerson's possession, except one trunk containing manuscripts. The house was situated near the centre of Concord and was a point of much interest to visitors. It was filled, as might be expected from its owner, with choice articles of vertu, the gifts of friends and the collections of many years, and a library of great

The wires last night announced the death of Ralph Waldo Emmerson, one of this country's most distinguished thinkers and writers, which took place at his residence in Boston after a brief illness. He was born in Boston, May 25th, 1803. He obtained his primary education in the public grammar schools, where he soon qualified himself for the Latin school. Here he attempted his first literary work, and produced some poems. In 1817 he entered Harvard College, where he graduated in 1821. He was not remarkable for his application to study as much as for his fondness for reading, and when he graduated he was noted for his knowledge of general literature.

After graduating he engaged in teaching for five years. In 1826 he was received as a preacher in the Middlesex Association of Ministers, but his health failing he spent the winter in South Carolina and Florida. In 1829 he was ordained as a minister of the Second Unitarian church of Boston. He came of clerical stock and for eight generations