Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was an American essayist, poet, and philosopher who played a significant role in the transcendentalist movement of the 19th century. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in American literature and thought. His work focused on individualism, self-reliance, and the exploration of the relationship between humanity and nature. Emerson's writings continue to be widely read and studied, and his philosophy of self-reliance and the interconnectedness of all life remains influential in American literature and thought.