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Was considered a key figure of transcendentalism
Believed all people contained seeds of divinity, but society and traditional religion would destroy their potential
Stated that God's presence exists in both humanity and nature and can be achieved through intuition instead of reason (from his essay, Nature)
Called on people to strive for individuality (self-reliance) as society encouraged people to conform to societal rules (from his essay, Self-Reliance)

Inspired by Emerson's essay, Nature, became a transcendentalist
Believed in non-conformity of society
Lived on Walden Pond (owned by Emerson) where he communed with nature and wrote his thoughts and ideas in his own essay, Walden
Wrote Civil Disobedience in response to his opposition to the U.S. declaration of war against Mexico, the treatment of American Indians, and the extension of slavery
Spent a night in jail for refusing to pay taxes in protest to the U.S.- Mexican War

Was the editor of the transcendentalist journal, The Dial
Was one of the country's first female journalists
Was a leading advocate for women's rights
Published her book, Woman, where she called for the complete equality of women and men