Amos Bronson Alcott Biography

Amos Bronson Alcott was an American teacher, writer and one of the most respected transcendentalists of the 19th century. He is best known for his work as a teacher, where he proposed and practiced a new form of education that eschewed stiff manners and physical punishment in favor of a nurturing and constructive environment. He educated himself through much of his long life and believed that education should encourage the child mentally, morally, spiritually, and physically. But his ideas were met with cynicism and he was termed as an eccentric professor unable to impart appropriate knowledge to his students. Later in life, he published his experience in some of his books and authored several other works. He was a vegan who believed that utopia could be achieved on Earth, even going so far as to start a community to achieve his ideals. But the community failed after a short time and his family remained in poverty until his daughter, Louisa May Alcott, became a world-renowned author. During his lifetime, he pioneered a gentler style of teaching based on respect and familiarity between educator and pupil and supported a number of movements including veganism and abolitionism. He was a visionary with a brilliant mind and despite facing numerous social challenges in life, dedicated his life towards the progress of the society.