A Little of This & That: Truth Seekers: Henry David Thoreau & Emily Dickinson

It is fun to picture Henry Thoreau and Emily Dickinson both sitting at their desks in Concord and Amherst, MA, just seventy miles apart from one another, writing for themselves and, ultimately, for the ages. On the surface, they were so different. Thoreau could spend pages describing a leaf or a woodchuck, while Dickinson could, in just seven lines, tackle Art or Death or God. Yet they both had a genius for seeking the Truth and their words richly reward our attention.

David Grant is a former English teacher and foundation president who currently lives in Strafford, where he serves as Town Moderator. In his retirement, he devotes his time to two outstanding Upper Valley institutions: Northern Stage and Osher. David is the author of The Social Profit Handbook (2015), which focuses on how mission-driven organizations can best measure their impact and success. He has performed around the world in a one-man show as Mark Twain.

Note: This course is part of Osher's "A Little of This and That" series. We’ve gathered some of our finest Study Leaders from across the fields of science, religion, culture, literature, music, and hands-on crafting. If you’ve never taken an Osher class, try us out and discover what makes the Osher experience so rewarding. If you’re already a member, this is a perfect opportunity to explore new ideas, reconnect with friends, and continue to challenge and delight your mind.

We look forward to seeing you this spring.