Email This Post
The dawn of ‘Civil Disobedience’—Henry David Thoreau
Before there were sit-ins and marches, there was Henry David Thoreau. His essay, Civil Disobedience, influenced some of the greatest leaders of non-violent change in the 20th century, including Gandhi and Dr. King.
Professor Robert Gross, a writer and expert on all things Thoreau, shares some history about this great man’s life and work. A visionary and abolitionist, Thoreau stood by his principles: leading a simple life, being in touch with nature, and standing up to an immoral or unjust government. Through his masterpieces such as Walden (Kathleen’s favorite book), A Life without Principal and Civil Disobedience he made his mark as an environmentalist, philosopher, and non-violent revolutionary whose work is as relevant today as it was 150 years ago.
And if you want to hear what sparked Kathleen’s own interest in and passion for Mr. Henry David Thoreau, be sure to click on ‘Listen to the whole show’ above to hear her opening monologue. This is definitely one of her favorite topics.
Robert A. Gross received a B.A. in American civilization from the University of Pennsylvania and a M.A. and Ph.D. in history from Columbia University. He taught at Amherst College, the University of Sussex, and the College of William and Mary before coming to UConn. He is the recipient of various national awards, including fellowships from the Guggenheim, Howard, and Rockefeller Foundations, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the American Antiquarian Society.
Buy Walden HERE
For more information on Thoreau, visit The Thoreau Society
Read more about Robert Gross HERE
