Thoreau Society: The Gathering Starts Today

Many among the literati will descend upon Concord over the next several days for the Thoreau Society’s Annual Gathering. The theme, “Mystic, Transcendentalist, and Natural Philosopher to Boot” is taken from an 1853 journal entry in which HDT responds to questions about his interests in natural science.

According to the society’s description:

“Thoreau explains that the questionnaire, with its fill-in-the-blank format, as well as the expectations of the association, could not adequately represent the diversity of his interests.”

Fitting, it seems, since the gathering—which opens today, July 10 and concludes Sunday, July 14—casts a fairly wide net and should attract Thoreau scholars and early inquisitives alike.

Pre-conference registration has ended (obviously) but registration at the conference is still available.

This year’s keynote speaker is Robert Richardson, the noted historian and biographer, whose credits include “Henry Thoreau: A Life of the Mind” and “Emerson: The Mind on Fire.”

For a complete look at the schedule, visit the Thoreau Society’s website. Or you can get a cheat sheet here:

• Day 1: Wednesday, July 10
• Day 2: Thursday, July 11
• Day 3: Friday, July 12
• Day 4: Saturday, July 13
• Day 5: Sunday, July 14