Henry S. Salt - Life of Henry David Thoreau

Life of Henry David Thoreau

Henry S. Salt

  • Edition: First Edition
  • Publisher: Richard Bentley & Son, London
  • Published: 1890
  • Length: 315
  • Format: Hardback
  • Third Edition
  • George Hendrick (Editor), Willene Hendrick (Editor), Fritz Oehlschlaeger (Editor)
  • 1993 Centaur Press; University of Illinois Press, Hardback, 190 pages
  • Third Edition Reprint
  • George Hendrick (Editor), Willene Hendrick (Editor), Fritz Oehlschlaeger (Editor)
  • 2000 University of Illinois Press, Paperback, 192 pages

Summary

Henry S. Salt’s Life of Henry David Thoreau is a vivid and comprehensive portrait of one of America’s most iconic naturalists and transcendental thinkers. Drawing from personal correspondence, unpublished documents, and memoirs from Thoreau’s close friends and contemporaries, Salt crafts an insightful account that not only explores Thoreau’s life but also his ethical teachings and philosophy. Readers are taken on a journey through Thoreau’s retreat to Walden, where his life among nature reflected his deep belief in simplicity, self-reliance, and his extraordinary connection with animals.

Salt delves into Thoreau’s personal relationships, especially with Ralph Waldo Emerson, and recounts his time at Concord, Harvard, and the intellectual circles of 19th-century New England. A key highlight is Thoreau’s radical experiment in living at Walden Pond, where he learned to sustain himself with minimal work while gaining profound spiritual insights. Salt also emphasizes Thoreau’s near mystical bond with wildlife, portraying him as a man whose patience and empathy allowed even the shyest creatures to trust and approach him. This biography is a thoughtful tribute to Thoreau’s enduring legacy as a lover of nature and a fierce advocate of simple living.

With careful research and engaging storytelling, Salt’s biography offers readers a fresh perspective on Thoreau, his life, and his timeless wisdom, making it a must-read for both Thoreau admirers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Notes on the Editions

In 1890, Henry S. Salt published what many scholars consider the definitive biography of Henry David Thoreau prior to Walter Harding’s The Days of Henry Thoreau. Salt’s nuanced portrayal of Thoreau’s life and philosophy is particularly impressive, given the limited resources at his disposal.

In 1896, Salt revised and republished the biography in an abridged form, reducing extensive quotations from Thoreau’s works and making necessary corrections. He incorporated valuable insights provided by Dr. Samuel Arthur Jones, Alfred W. Hosmer, and other American correspondents.

Salt later completed a third, substantially revised edition in 1908, although he was unable to secure a publisher. He continued to contemplate its release as late as 1929. This third edition was ultimately published posthumously in 1993 by Centaur Press and the University of Illinois Press, edited by George Hendrick, Willene Hendrick, and Fritz Oehlschlaeger. A paperback reprint of this edition was issued by the University of Illinois Press in 2000.

Content

  • Youth
  • Early Manhood
  • Friendship With Emerson
  • At Walden
  • Personality and Character
  • Literary Life at Concord
  • Excursions
  • Closing Years
  • Doctrines
  • Writings
  • Conclusion
  • Appendix

What the Critics Said

“Ample room was left for a capable writer who could sympathise and yet discriminate, who would patiently search out details, and give unity by deep penetration to the springs of character and motive. It’s not too much to say that Mr. Salt has done this.”—Spectator

Reviews

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