Born in 1817•Died in 1862 of tuberculosis •Resided in Concord, Massachusetts•Interests: nature, biology, politics, religion•Education from Harvard

Writings include:•Civil Disobedience•Walden•Journals 1 – 8•A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers

Personal Philosophy of Transcendentalism•People and nature are inherently good•People are born with survival instincts•Live simply by respecting nature•Use or take only what you need

Transcendentalism Points to Self Reliance•Learn to be self sustaining•Take or use only what you need•Rely on no one and nothing

Micro-living at Walden Pond•Land belonged to Emerson•Walden shack - 150 square feet•Cost $28.18•Modestly furnished

Micro-living Today•Living in 500 square feet or less•Multi-purposed areas•Small footprint for low environmental impact

236 Square Feet

500 Square Feet

200 Square Feet

Living Large in Small Places•Conversion Furniture http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAa6bOWB8qY

•Thoreauvian Living http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDbrUk2xYBo