A second-echelon philospher who popularized 19th Century German philosophy for an American audience. Much of Emerson's work involves the preservation of moral values embedded in Christianity as 19th Century science rapidly eroded supernatural authority. Together with his good prose style (by philospher standards), this has guaranteed Emerson a wide readership and elevated reputation.

One of my favorite 19th-century writers. He was not so much a systematic philosopher as a lyrical aphorist. Interesting that he is claimed by liberals and conservatives alike (personally I think he is a conservative, since his core values include self-reliance, individual responsibility, and finding the divinity which resides within each of us) --and he comes closest to my own heart in these ways. What this really shows to me is how little the labels liberal and conservative actually mean in contemporary intellectual history: I consider myself a liberal in the classical sense, and call myself that today, but I claim Emerson as one of my heroes.

Poet, tracendental idealist, pragmatist. 'Self reliance through God reliance.' Center-right wing yet rejected protectonist tariffs, for free traid, laissez faier, equal rights, property and life is to be protected, more production, elitist, for ogliarchy, favored monarchies and a pacifist. Against extremes, superstition, prejudice, slavery, to many laws and socialism. A Minister who split from his Uniterian Church for several reasons. He is against Jesus being seen as God.

He was an icon in early American literature.

A favorite quote from Emerson's "Self-Reliance": "A political victory, a rise of rents, or some other favorable event, raises your spirits, and you think good days are preparing for you. Do not believe it. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles."