Henry David ThoreauHenry David Thoreau (1817–62) was an American writer and philosopher, born in Massachusetts. He studied at Harvard and was known for having been a key voice in the Transcendentalism movement of writers and artists who believed in the innate morality f humanity. Throughout his career Thoreau wrote on the subjects of natural history, philosophy, environmentalism and nature. He delivered lectures aimed at ending slavery and his philosophy surrounding civil disobedience had a profound impact on the actions of political figures such as Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi long after his death in 1862. Read More Read Less