Letters and Social Aims, published in 1875, contains essays originally published early in the 1840s as well as those that were the product of a collaborative effort among Emerson, his daughter Ellen Tucker Emerson, his son Edward Waldo Emerson, and his literary executor James Eliot Cabot. The volume takes up the topics of Poetry and Imagination, Social Aims, Eloquence, Resources, The Comic, Quotation and Originality, Progress of Culture, Persian Poetry, Inspiration, Greatness, and, appropriately for Emerson's last published book, Immortality. The historical introduction demonstrates for the first time the decline in Emerson's creative powers after 1865; the strain caused by the preparation of a poetry anthology and delivery of lectures at Harvard during this time; the devastating effect of a house fire in 1872; and how the Emerson children and Cabot worked together to enable Emerson to complete the book. The textual introduction traces this collaborative process in detail and also provides new information about the genesis of the volume as a response to a proposed unauthorized British edition of Emerson's works. Historical Introduction by Ronald A. BoscoNotes and Parallel Passages by Glen M. JohnsonText Established and Textual Introduction and Apparatus by Joel Myerson

“The fifteen essays on Emerson, reprinted here, were published inAmerican Literaturefrom 1937 to 1986 and reveal the continuity of that journal’s interest in studies of literary influence, textual scholarship, and intellectual history. As this volume reveals, its editorial standards for scholarship have contributed to the publication of essays that have endured the winds of fashion.”—Choice

Musaicum Books presents to you this unique collection, designed and formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices: Introduction:Ralph Waldo EmersonBooks:The Conduct of Life:FatePowerWealthCultureBehaviorWorshipConsiderations by the WayBeautyIllusionsEssays-First Series:HistorySelf-RelianceCompensationSpiritual LawsLoveFriendshipPrudenceHeroismThe Over-SoulCirclesIntellectArtEssays-Second Series:The PoetExperienceCharacterMannersGiftsNaturePoliticsNominalist and RealistNew England ReformersNature:CommodityBeautyLanguageDisciplineIdealismSpiritProspectsRepresentative Men:PlatoEmanuel SwedenborgMichel de MontaigneWilliam ShakespeareNapoleonJohann Wolfgang von GoetheEnglish Traits:First Visit to EnglandVoyage to EnglandLandRaceAbilityMannersTruthCharacterCockayneWealthAristocracyUniversitiesReligionLiteratureThe TimesStonehengePersonalResultSpeech at ManchesterSociety and Solitude:CivilizationArtEloquenceDomestic LifeFarmingWorks and DaysBooksClubsCourageSuccessOld AgeLetters and Social Aims:Poetry and ImaginationSocial AimsEloquenceResourcesThe ComicQuotation and OriginalityProgress of CulturePersian PoetryInspirationGreatnessImmortalityAddresses and Lectures:The American ScholarAn Address in Divinity CollegeLiterary EthicsThe Method of NatureMan the ReformerLecture on The TimesThe ConservativeThe TranscendentalistThe Young AmericanLetter to President Van BurenThe Man of LettersThe Celebration of Intellect…Other Essays:The Lord's SupperThoughts on Modern LiteratureWalter Savage LandorThe Senses and the SoulTranscendentalismPrayersFourierism and the SocialistsChardon Street and Bible ConventionsAgriculture of MassachusettsHarvard UniversityEnglish ReformersEurope and European BooksThe TragicPast and PresentPerpetual ForcesDemonologyThe PreacherMiltonThoreauMichael AngeloPlutarchEzra RipleyMary Moody EmersonSamuel HoarCarlyleGeorge L. StearnsSaadiAmerican CivilizationThe Fortune of the RepublicThe Sovereignty of EthicsThe Natural History of Intellect…