# Walden

> non-fiction work by Henry David Thoreau

**Wikidata**: [Q863534](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q863534)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/walden

## Summary
*Walden* is a non-fiction work by Henry David Thoreau, published on August 9, 1854, detailing his two years of self-reliance and solitude in the woods near Walden Pond, Massachusetts. It is a foundational text in American literature, blending personal reflection, natural philosophy, and social critique.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Literary work, non-fiction literature, diary.
- **Author**: Henry David Thoreau (American essayist, poet, and philosopher, 1817–1862).
- **Publication Date**: August 9, 1854.
- **Aliases**: *Walden; or, Life in the Woods*.
- **Setting**: United States (specifically Walden Pond, Massachusetts).
- **Related Works**: *Pilgrim at Tinker Creek* (1974 nonfiction book).
- **Notable Connections**: Walden 7 (apartment building in Sant Just Desvern, Spain, built in 1973).

## FAQs
**What genre is *Walden*?**
*Walden* is a non-fiction literary work, classified as both a literary work and a diary.

**Who wrote *Walden*?**
*Walden* was written by Henry David Thoreau, an American essayist, poet, and philosopher.

**When was *Walden* published?**
*Walden* was published on August 9, 1854.

**Where is *Walden* set?**
The work is set near Walden Pond in Massachusetts, United States.

**What other works is *Walden* related to?**
*Walden* is related to *Pilgrim at Tinker Creek*, another nonfiction book.

## Why It Matters
*Walden* is a seminal work in American literature, influencing environmentalism, self-sufficiency, and individualism. Thoreau’s experiment in simple living and deep observation of nature challenged societal norms and inspired movements in conservation and civil disobedience. Its philosophical and practical insights remain relevant to discussions on sustainability, personal autonomy, and the relationship between humans and the natural world.

## Notable For
- Foundational text in American non-fiction literature.
- Pioneering work in environmental philosophy and self-reliance.
- Directly inspired later movements in conservation and civil rights.
- Detailed personal and naturalistic observations of Walden Pond.

## Body
### **History**
*Walden* was published in 1854, following Thoreau’s two years of solitude in the woods near Walden Pond. The work emerged from his experiment in self-sufficiency, where he lived with minimal material goods, relying on nature for sustenance. The book’s publication was initially limited, but it gained recognition over time, becoming a cornerstone of American literature.

### **Classification**
*Walden* is classified as a literary work, non-fiction literature, and a diary. Its structure blends personal journal entries with philosophical essays, making it a unique hybrid of genres.

### **Author**
Henry David Thoreau, the author of *Walden*, was an American essayist, poet, and philosopher. His other notable works include *Civil Disobedience* and *A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers*. Thoreau’s writings are celebrated for their deep engagement with nature and society.

### **Setting**
The work is set in the United States, specifically near Walden Pond in Massachusetts. The natural environment plays a central role in Thoreau’s reflections on simplicity and self-reliance.

### **Related Works**
*Walden* is connected to *Pilgrim at Tinker Creek*, another nonfiction book, though the two works differ in focus and setting. Additionally, *Walden* is linked to Walden 7, an apartment building in Spain, though this connection is unrelated to the literary work.

### **Influence**
*Walden* has had a profound impact on environmentalism, civil disobedience, and personal philosophy. Its advocacy for living in harmony with nature influenced later conservationists and civil rights leaders. Thoreau’s ideas on individualism and resistance to societal norms continue to resonate in contemporary discussions on sustainability and personal autonomy.

## References

1. MusicBrainz
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. BBC Things
4. Virtual International Authority File