Henry David Thoreau helped shape, and was shaped by, an interesting time in history. He was born two years after the War of 1812 between the U.S. and Great Britain, and died just after the Civil War broke out in the U.S. His philosophies, writing and ideas about nature have left a lasting impact.

After being taught about the philosophy of Transcendentalism by his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson, he went on to explore that philosophy and develop his own strong ideas about nature, politics and citizenship. His essay Civil Disobedience influenced figures such as Indian nationalist leader Mahatma Gandhi, Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, and modern civil rights leaders. Others are still trying to emulate his attempts to achieve harmony with nature, as he writes about in his book Walden.

Maine became a state three years after Thoreau was born, in 1820. When Thoreau visited the state, in the 1840s and 1850s, the Portland Headlight in Cape Elizabeth had already been around for about 50 years. Commercial Street in Portland was built in 1853. The Victoria Mansion in Portland was begun in 1859, after his last trip to the state. Maine played a role in the Civil War which began in 1861. The state was required to raise enough men for one regiment, but instead raised enough for 10.

  • To learn about what was going on in the world during Thoreau's lifetime, see our timeline.

    Related stories from this series

  • Searching for Thoreau
    Henry David Thoreau came to Maine in search of a deeper wilderness. He found it. But 150 years later, what remains of his beloved frontier?
  • Thoreau: Inspired writer, profound thinker
    His essay 'Civil Disobedience' influenced Gandhi and Kennedy, but his nature writings remain his most important works.
  • 'Maine Woods' inspires many to retrace route
    Thoreau's observations and the prospect of discovering an unchanged wilderness create a powerful pull.
  • Thoreau's campaign to preserve the forests lives on Because of his passion, Thoreau has been nearly deified by some, and vilified by others.
  • Imperiled Wilderness The Allagash, which Henry David Thoreau visited in 1857, is threatened by the sheer number of people visiting it each year.
  • Tram, train remnants of logging's glory days Thoreau anticipated the sort of large-scale lumbering that the tramway and locomotives eventually made possible in the Maine woods.
  • 'I wished ... to see a moose' While not a sportsman, Thoreau wanted to observe a hunt for the 'great frightened rabbits.'
  • Still balancing preservation and conservation in the Maine Woods
  • Searching for Thoreau at Chesuncook Lake
  • Maine's Penobscots, then and now
  • To Katahdin's Peak
  • Mountain of the people Following Thoreau's footsteps to the top of Mount Katahdin gives glimpses of the ferocious, unforgiving place he saw.
  • Maine trips provide a chance to delve into Indian culture Thoreau wanted to learn all he could of the Penobscots' language, traditions and customs.
  • Thoreau Society keeps his ideas alive Thoreau fan club holds dear the naturalist's desire for conservation.

    More about Thoreau and history on the Internet

  • The Life and Times of Henry David Thoreau, from researchers at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Also includes a sample of his handwriting, frequently asked questions, and further reading on the man and his subjects.
  • The Electronic Drummer is the Web version of the Thoreau Institute newsletter, Different Drummer. Like Thoreau, they embrace small government and environmentalism.
  • Information about the Thoreau Society, along with a biography and timeline. More about the Thoreau Society.
  • A great set of Thoreau Links.
  • Henry David Thoreau was about 11 years old when Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain , the Civil War hero and former Maine governor, was born.
  • "Uncle Tom's Cabin" author Harriet Beecher Stowe also lived in Maine at the time.
  • Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of the most famous poets of the 19th century, lived was living in Cambridge, Mass. and writing poetry when Thoreau was visiting the state.
  • The Walden Mailing List is an opportunity to discuss his ideas with other Thoreau enthusiasts via e-mail.
  • The Lumberman's Museum in Patten, Maine contains the hitory of logging in Maine, early tools, and information about river driving and sawmills. Contains lots of old photos.
  • Logging history from the VanNatta Logging History Museum of Northwest Oregon. If you've got the time and the inclination, check out their exhaustingly exhaustive page of links.
  • The World-Wide Virtual Library has a section on Forestry.
  • For more about modern forestry, check out Pulp and Paper Net, based right here in Portland.
  • To learn about your own family's history, start with the The Center for Maine History.

    Taking it into the classroom

    • Why do we still talk about Thoreau today? What aspect of Thoreau - his writing, his philosopy, his skills as an outdoorsman, etc., - was most important in securing his place in history?
    • Thoreau was very fond of Indians, like his guide Joe Polis in 'The Maine Woods.' Research which Indian tribes lived in Maine at the time, where they lived, what their lives were like, and what happened to them. Find out what the Indian names throughout the book - Katahdin, Chesuncook, etc. - mean in their native languages.
    • Who in history was Thoreau most influenced by?
    • Who has Thoreau influenced, and how is that demonstrated?
    • What was going on in Maine at the time Thoreau visited it? Who do we still study about who lived here at the time?
    • Thoreau writes quite a bit about logging, and that he didn't agree with the practice. Learn about logging in Maine and how big a role it has played in the state's history. Learn about the proposed ban on clearcutting today. Think about what Thoreau would have thought about it, and whether or not you agree with him.
    • Original content in this site by Lori Haugen, graphics by Kathy Jungjohann, Guy Gannett New Media.
    Questions or comments? E-mail us!


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    Background: Excerpt from Thoreau's Journal, June 25th, 1853, © The Pierpont Morgan Library, New York, MA 1302.29.

    © 1997 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.