of Ralph Waldo Emerson: (1803 - 82) American essayist, poet and lecturer. Emerson was part of the transcendentalist movement, which advised people to look for God-givenpower within themselves. His best-known essay is "Self-Reliance." Many in the nineteenth century took inspiration from Emerson, especially through his brief and pointed sayings and urgings, such as "Hitch your wagon to a star." —DMSMH Glossary (app. 14.7.90)