The Transcendentalists of New England in the 1830s included women in their discussions from the beginning. This talk will consider seven of them: Ralph Waldo Emerson’s aunt Mary Moody Emerson, his two wives Ellen and Lydia, his friend
Margaret Fuller, and the three Peabody sisters: Elizabeth whose Boston bookshop was a sort of hub for the Transcendentalists, Mary (Mrs. Horace Mann), and Sofia (Mrs. Nathanial Hawthorne). Some introduced early ideas that were incorporated into the philosophy, others provided material support—and a few healthy glints of irreverence as they moved on. So why haven’t we heard more about them?

This service will be held in person and online.