Amos Bronson AlcottCommune leader, philosopher
B. 1799 D. 1888 Testimony: In their Own WordsNature is quick with spirit. In eternal systole and diastole, the living tides course gladly along, incarnating organ and vessel in their mystic flow. Let her pulsations for a moment pause on their errands, and creation's self ebbs instantly into chaos and invisibility again. |
Actions
- Lived as a vegan, and did not use leather since it was taken from animals.
- Would not use cotton or silk because they'd been produced by slave labor.
- Created new educational strategies, like creative writing, conversational discussion rather than rote memorization, and students voted on punishment. He tried to make school more comfortable with chairs rather than backless benches, and better heating and lighting.
- Follower of the Transcendental movement; friend and neighbor of Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Established a commune called "Fruitlands" that failed in 7 months due to their lack of funds
- His writings about Transcendentalism were criticized as being gibberish and incoherent
- His schooling techniques were criticized as anti-religious
- Hosted fugitive slaves as part of the Underground Railroad
- Opposed the Mexican-American War on the grounds that it would spread slavery
- Would not use cotton or silk because they'd been produced by slave labor.
- Created new educational strategies, like creative writing, conversational discussion rather than rote memorization, and students voted on punishment. He tried to make school more comfortable with chairs rather than backless benches, and better heating and lighting.
- Follower of the Transcendental movement; friend and neighbor of Ralph Waldo Emerson
- Established a commune called "Fruitlands" that failed in 7 months due to their lack of funds
- His writings about Transcendentalism were criticized as being gibberish and incoherent
- His schooling techniques were criticized as anti-religious
- Hosted fugitive slaves as part of the Underground Railroad
- Opposed the Mexican-American War on the grounds that it would spread slavery
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