Henry David Thoreau
Thoreau grew up in Concord, MA, becoming a key American writer and philosopher. His life intersected with pre-Civil War debates on slavery, industry, and civic duty while developing ideas on nature and individual conscience.
- 2026-2026
- 1 season
- PBS
Thoreau grew up in Concord, MA, becoming a key American writer and philosopher. His life intersected with pre-Civil War debates on slavery, industry, and civic duty while developing ideas on nature and individual conscience.
Season 1 Episode Guide
3 Episodes 2026
Episode 1
Who are We?
Mon, Mar 30, 2026 57 mins
Thoreau matures during America's moral and industrial conflicts. After Harvard, Emerson inspires his writing. A relative's death strengthens his connection to nature. Rejecting society, he builds a woodland cabin for simple life and work.
Episode 2
Being Alive
Mon, Mar 30, 2026 67 mins
At Walden Pond, Thoreau immerses himself in wilderness and his journal, drafting one of two books. His two years feature town visits, a Maine trip, and a jail night protesting slavery, reshaping his view of freedom.
Episode 3
Several More Lives to Live
Tue, Mar 31, 2026 57 mins
Thoreau leaves Walden Pond after two years to apply his lessons on responsible living. He works as surveyor, scientist, and abolitionist, makes two Maine trips, and writes urgently as illness progresses.