Ralph Waldo Emerson's contribution to magazine journalism consists of his work in connection with the Dial, the voice of early American transcendentalism. A major force in the creation of the journal, from 1840 to 1842 Emerson served primarily as contributor under Margaret Fuller's editorship. He then edited the journal himself from 1842 to its demise in 1844.

Emerson, born 25 May 1803 in Boston, was the second of five sons of William and Susan Haskins Emerson. He began grammar school at eight years of age and the Boston Latin School at twelve. He was graduated from Harvard College (A.B.) in 1821. Emerson attended the Harvard Divinity School in 1825 and 1827 but did not graduate. He showed few unusual abilities (mathematics seemed simply beyond him; philosophy not much better) throughout his education. As an undergraduate he was thirtieth out of a class of fifty-nine and fared little better as a divinity student. His studies in divinity...