Project Gutenberg 2025-04-23 Public domain in the USA. 369 Emerson, Ralph Waldo 1803 1882 Emerson, R. W. (Ralph Waldo) Emerson, R. Waldo (Ralph Waldo) Emerson, Waldo Cabot, James Elliot 1821 1903 Cabot, J. Elliot Cabot, J. E. 17014650 Lectures and biographical sketches $aBoston :$bHoughton, Mifflin and Company, $c1883. Emerson's complete works, v. 10 Demonology -- Aristocracy -- Perpetual forces -- Character -- Education -- The superlative -- The sovereignty of ethics -- The preacher -- The man of letters -- The scholar -- Plutarch -- Historic notes of life and letters in New England -- The Chardon Street Convention -- Ezra Ripley, D.D. -- Mary Moody Emerson -- Samuel Hoar -- Thoreau -- Carlyle. Emmanuel Ackerman, Laura Natal and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) "Lectures and Biographical Sketches" by Ralph Waldo Emerson is a collection of essays and addresses written in the late 19th century. This book brings together Emerson's reflections on human character, society, personal greatness, and the complex interplay between individual potential and cultural inheritance. Likely aimed at a thoughtful audience interested in philosophy, literature, and the improvement of the self, the work explores themes such as dreams, aristocracy, personal powers, and societal ideals. The opening of "Lectures and Biographical Sketches" presents an editorial note explaining the composition and origins of the collected pieces, some previously unpublished, others assembled for special readings. The first major essay, "Demonology," investigates dreams, omens, coincidences, and the unexplainable aspects of human experience, balancing poetic wonder with rational skepticism. Emerson discusses the peculiar power of dreams and presentiments, the human tendency to seek signs in nature, and the allure of mystical or supernatural explanations for success and fortune. The subsequent essay, "Aristocracy," turns to the enduring fascination with social elites, distinguishing true personal excellence from mere inherited status, and arguing that real aristocracy derives from character, intellect, self-reliance, and societal service rather than birth or wealth. Throughout these opening essays, Emerson combines philosophical analysis with practical observation, inviting readers to look beyond surface appearances and develop deeper personal and social insight. (This is an automatically generated summary.) https://archive.org/details/lecturesbiograph00emer 20220111133002emerson 1883 us Reading ease score: 64.6 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read. en American essays -- 19th century Speeches, addresses, etc., American -- 19th century PS Text Category: Biographies Category: Essays, Letters & Speeches Category: American Literature Category: Philosophy & Ethics 662318 2025-07-30T05:57:20.322799 text/html 635660 2025-04-23T09:21:57 text/html 656319 2025-07-30T05:57:29.296736 application/epub+zip 651677 2025-07-30T05:57:21.918766 application/epub+zip 412520 2025-07-30T05:57:21.061862 application/epub+zip 679044 2025-07-30T05:57:34.856216 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 633732 2025-07-30T05:57:28.631766 application/x-mobipocket-ebook 593067 2025-07-30T05:57:19.445829 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 573081 2025-04-23T09:21:57 text/plain; charset=us-ascii 18471 2025-07-30T05:57:35.022228 application/rdf+xml 6868 2025-07-30T05:57:21.268824 image/jpeg 1810 2025-07-30T05:57:21.161826 image/jpeg 636209 2025-07-30T05:57:20.387783 application/octet-stream application/zip Archives containing the RDF files for *all* our books can be downloaded at https://book.klll.cc/wiki/Gutenberg:Feeds#The_Complete_Project_Gutenberg_Catalog en.wikipedia en.wikipedia