Ralph Waldo Emerson: An influential American essayist, poet, and lecturer who was one of the key figures of transcendentalism. He wrote essays like "Self-Reliance" that promoted individualism and encouraged people to trust their own instincts.
Henry David Thoreau: A writer, philosopher, and naturalist who is best known for his book "Walden," which chronicles his experiences living alone in a cabin he built by Walden Pond. Thoreau embraced simplicity, self-sufficiency, and the beauty of nature.
Margaret Fuller: A journalist, critic, feminist thinker, and women's rights advocate who played a significant role in promoting transcendentalist ideas through her writings. She explored issues of gender equality and urged women to find their own voices within society.