The American Renaissance period, circa 1876-1917, heralded a new sense of nationalism with a pride linking to a spirit akin to Greek democracy, the rule of Roman law, and a cultural and educational reform movement often referred to as Renaissance humanism. This American nationalism focused on the expression of modernism, technology, and academic classicism. Renaissance technological advancements include wire cables supporting the Brooklyn Bridge in the State of New York, along with cultural advancements found in the Prairie School houses, Beaux-Arts Institute of Design in architecture and sculpture. The political heir of American nationalism evolved with the Gilded Age and New Imperialism school of thought. The American Renaissance produced major influential literary works from some of the most brilliant minds in U.S. history, including Ralph Waldo Emerson's the "Representative Man (1850)", Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Scarlett Letter (1850)" and "The House of Seven Gables (1851)," Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick," Henry David Thoreau's "Walden (1854)," and Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass (1855)."

American Renaissance Literary Masterpieces

The American Renaissance, a literary and cultural period circa extending from 1820 to the mid-1860s, gained inspiration from the unresolved issues of the American Revolution. The American Renaissance literary style was coined as "Romanticism," an international philosophical movement that redefined the perceptions of Western cultures, and seldom refers to the preconceived notions of love. Some important authors arising out of this era include: James Fenimore Cooper, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Harriet Jacobs, Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Edgar Allen Poe, and Herman Melville. These brilliant scholars herald with American literature's hallmark of literary excellence expounding on the fundamentals of classical American tradition. The central key issues addressed women's suffrage, abolitionism, expanstionist philiosphies, such as Manifest Destiny or Mexican and Native American imperialistic conquest, and religious influential roots.

Ralph Waldo Emerson -- Representative Men (1850): A comprehensive overview of the literary masterpiece authored by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Nathaniel Hawthorne -- The Scarlett Letter (1850): An online publication of the controversial literary masterpiece "The Scarlett Letter" authored by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Nathaniel Hawthorne -- The House of Seven Gables (1851): An authoritative resources outlining the biography and works of the Romantic author Nathaniel Hawthorne, including a direct link to an online publication of the avowed "The House of Seven Gables," literary masterpiece.

Henry David Thoreau -- Walden (1854): A thorough a complete study guide to Henry David Thoreau's "Walden," which accounts a two-year account of Thoreau's life at Walden Pond; however, the literary masterpiece does not directly reflect Thoreau's life in the tone of a biography or journalistic narrative.

Walt Whitman -- Leaves of Grass (1855): An annotated project on the American Renaissance masterpiece "Leaves of Grass," authored by Romanticist Walt Whitman.

Herman Melville -- Moby-Dick (1851): A retrospective commentary on the Romantic classic, "Moby-Dick (1851)" authored by Herman Melville.

Other Top Literary Works of The American Renaissance Era

The term describing the cultural and literary movement known as the "American Renaissance" was coined in 1941 by F.O. Matthiessen in his book, "American Renaissance: Art and Expression in the Age of Emerson and Whitman." Other scholars criticized the overemphasis on white male authors, which eventually redefined the spectrum of renowned authors originating from the Romantic period. The narrow exclusivity began to deteriorate toward the end of the 20th century, while beckoning the call of women literary geniuses, such as Emily Dickinson, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and Margaret Fuller. African-American literature also gained popularity with literary masterpieces authored from the likes of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs.

Emily Dickinson -- Poetry: An overview of Emily Dickinson's biography, poems, themes and general, experimental writing style, including commentary and syllabus curricula.

Harriet Beecher Stowe -- Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852): A modern analytical interpolation of the Romantic classical work, "Uncle Tom's Cabin (1852)" authored by Harriet Beecher Stowe.

Edgar Allen Poe -- The Raven, Cask of Amontillado, Tell Tale Heart: A thesis on the literary works of the disturbed Romanticist.

Washington Irving -- Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: A comprehensive list of resources of the Romantic author Washington Irving.

James Fenimore Cooper -- The Last of the Mohicans (1826): An online publication and analytical introduction to the Romantic literary classic, "The Last of the Mohicans (1826)" by James Fenimore Cooper.

Frederick Douglass -- Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845): A comprehensive compilation of a biography, bibliographies, analytical reviews, and illustrations of the works authored by Frederick Douglass, including the "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave (1845).

Margaret Fuller -- Woman in The Nineteenth Century (1843): An online library (directory) of the works composed by Margaret Fuller, including "Woman in The Nineteenth Century (1843)."

Abraham Lincoln -- Gettysburg and the First and Second Inaugural Addresses: An online compilation of historical documents and speeches, including the famous Gettysburg, First and Second Inaugural Addresses presented by President Abraham Lincoln.

Harriet Jacobs -- Incidents in The Life of a Slave Girl (1861): A thesis dedicated to the Romantic classic, "Incidents in The Life of a Slave Girl (1861)" by Harriet Jacobs.

America from 1820 to 1860

The United States went through a pivotal hallmark in history ranging from the time span of 40 years (1820 to 1860). Fierce social and cultural reform, including philosophical frame-of-thought emerged that would shape a historical knock-out unparalled since the American Revolution. The abolition of slavery, women's suffrage of women's rights movement, Manifest Destiny, and the literal change of American identity began to take root for sake of expansion and equality.

Pre-Civil War American Culture: The American Renaissance: A historical overview of the cultural reformation and philosophical thought engulfing pre-Civil War America.

Abolition of Slavery: A detailed presentation on the influential of abolitionist movement in pre-Civil War America.

Women's Suffrage: A historical account of the women's suffrage movement and its influence on the American Renaissance period.

President Abraham Lincoln: Digitized source material covering U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, a prime influential figure for the political, cultural, and philosophical reformation of the American Renaissance era.

Missouri Compromise of 1820: A detailed transcript of the Missouri Compromise of 1820.

Antebellum Period (1820-1860): A paper detailing the wage disparity during the antebellum period of the American Renaissance era.

Manifest Destiny, American Imperialism: Course material covering the concept of Manifest Destiny, an extension of the expansionist philosophy.

Transcendentalism, American Renaissance Philosophical Thought: An overview of origins and reasoning behind the philosophical movement known as Transcendentalism and its impact on the American Renaissance.

Apocalyptic and Utopian Society: A symbolic presentation of post-apocalyptic America and the utopian society.

Romanticism: Musical Composition: Course material covering the musical composition of the Romantic period, also known as the American Renaissance.

The American Renaissance period brought about major cultural, social, political, and philosophical change. Pioneers who stood for the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, expansion, and literary experimentalism challenged and withstood opposition to those comfortable with the old social order. These developments continue to influence our society today, despite overcoming major obstacles within the last century. Only we can take advantage of present opportunities to influence and bring about positive change for future generations.