Ralph Waldo Emerson was the most quoted, most inspirational writer in America for over a hundred years. His concept of American Voice, of Self-Reliance, and of The Oversoul have influenced the New Thought movement profoundly. He is quoted by all the great metaphysical writers and he was the first to break through traditional Christianity in such a way as to inspire multitudes to higher thought. Background information on Emerson's times and his fellow members of the Transcendentalist circle is covered. They include Bronson Alcott, Margaret Fuller, Henry David Thoreau, and Walt Whitman.