The Other Hermit of Thoreau's Walden Pond

Henry David Thoreau is one of the most famous and influential figures in American literature. His book, Walden, is a classic of nature writing and has inspired generations of readers. But Thoreau was not the only hermit who lived at Walden Pond. His friend and fellow transcendentalist, Franklin Benjamin Sanborn, also spent time there.

Sanborn was born in Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, in 1831. He was the son of a minister, and he grew up in a religious household. Sanborn was a bright and inquisitive child, and he excelled in his studies. He attended Harvard College, where he met Thoreau and other members of the transcendentalist movement.

The Other "Hermit" of Thoreau's Walden Pond: The Sojourn of Edmond Stuart Hotham

by Terry Barkley

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	19484 KB
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Sanborn was drawn to transcendentalism's emphasis on individualism, self-reliance, and the importance of nature. He became a close friend of Thoreau, and he shared many of Thoreau's beliefs. In 1854, Sanborn moved to Concord, Massachusetts, where he lived for the rest of his life. He built a small cabin on the shores of Walden Pond, and he often visited Thoreau's cabin there.

Sanborn was a man of many talents and interests. He was a writer, a teacher, a biographer, and an abolitionist. He wrote several books, including a biography of Thoreau. He also taught at several schools, including the Concord Academy and Harvard University. Sanborn was a strong supporter of the abolitionist movement, and he helped to organize and fundraise for the cause.

After Thoreau's death in 1862, Sanborn helped to preserve his legacy. He edited and published Thoreau's journals and letters, and he wrote a number of articles and books about Thoreau's life and work. Sanborn's efforts helped to ensure that Thoreau's work would continue to be read and appreciated by generations of readers.

Sanborn died in Concord in 1917. He is buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, next to the graves of Thoreau and other members of the transcendentalist movement. Sanborn was a complex and fascinating figure who played an important role in American literature and thought. He was a close friend and supporter of Thoreau, and he helped to preserve Thoreau's legacy after his death.

Sanborn's Cabin at Walden Pond

Sanborn's cabin at Walden Pond was a small, one-room structure. It was built in 1854, and it was originally used as a storage shed. Sanborn later converted it into a cabin, and he lived there for several years. The cabin is now a museum, and it is open to the public.

The cabin is a simple, rustic structure. It is made of logs and clapboards, and it has a thatched roof. The cabin is furnished with a bed, a desk, a chair, and a few other items. Sanborn's cabin is a reminder of the simple life that he lived at Walden Pond.

Sanborn's Legacy

Sanborn was a complex and fascinating figure who made significant contributions to American literature and thought. He was a close friend and supporter of Thoreau, and he helped to preserve Thoreau's legacy after his death. Sanborn was also a writer, a teacher, a biographer, and an abolitionist. He wrote several books, including a biography of Thoreau. He also taught at several schools, including the Concord Academy and Harvard University. Sanborn was a strong supporter of the abolitionist movement, and he helped to organize and fundraise for the cause.

Sanborn's legacy is complex and multifaceted. He was a man of many talents and interests, and he made significant contributions to American literature and thought. Sanborn is best known for his friendship with Thoreau and his work to preserve Thoreau's legacy. However, he was also a writer, a teacher, a biographer, and an abolitionist. Sanborn's legacy is a reminder of the importance of friendship, intellectual curiosity, and social activism.

The Other "Hermit" of Thoreau's Walden Pond: The Sojourn of Edmond Stuart Hotham

by Terry Barkley

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	19484 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	139 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE