Ralph Waldo Emerson was born on May 25, 1803; he went on to become one of the leading writers and thinkers of the 19th century. Emerson attended Harvard as a teenager and then went on to become a pastor. He became dissatisfied with traditional Christian theology, however, and resigned from the ministry in 1832, a year after his first wife's death.

He later gained recognition as a leader within the transcendentalism movement, which is characterized by its belief that people are innately good and to "Trust thyself." He was close with other now-famous people such as Henry David Thoreau and Margaret Fuller.

Emerson made a long-lasting impact on American literature by being the first major U.S. author to introduce classical Asian and Middle Eastern works —including metaphysical concepts and mythology — to both readers and future writers. His unique philosophical approach opened up more doors for later thinkers.

The above quote is from his essay titled "Self-Reliance."

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Today in History - May 25 (Library of Congress on Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Ralph Waldo Emerson (Poetry Foundation)