The works of Thoreau, Emerson, and Franklin reflect their adaptation to the ideals of individualismHenry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Benjamin Franklin embraced aspects of individualism to varying degrees. Individualism is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “a doctrine that the interests of the individual are or should be ethically paramount…” and, secondly, as “a theory advocating the political and economic independence of individual and emphasizes initiative, action, and self-interest." Thoreau was a consummate individualist, engaging in a relatively solitary life for over two years. Emerson believed that self-reliance would enable a man to change for the better his own world. Franklin, a successful businessman who valued the principles of the individual's worth and diligence, made a lasting contribution to society through his hard work is usually considered admirable as he thinks and acts in independently according to their own conscience and beliefs; however, some individualists may tend to withdraw from society and be considered “reclusive.” Because Thoreau felt that the laws and values ​​of the United States were contrary to his beliefs, he decided it was better to live outside the society favorable to slavery and war. In 1845 he built a small cabin on Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts, and resided there for over two years. His most popular book, Walden; or, Life in the Woods, is taken from his thoughts at that time. His existence at Walden Pond was not entirely solitary as he made frequent visits to the nearby town and also entertained visitors. Thoreau's experiment was to demonstrate that living a simple life was possible and preferable. However, the serenity he sought was tainted… at the center of the card…eau, Henry David and Brooks Atkinson. Walden and Other Writings / Henry David Thoreau ; Introduction by Ralph Waldo Emerson; By Brooks Atkinson. np: New York: Modern Library, c2000., 2000. Georgia Perimeter College GIL Catalog. Network. July 2, 2014.Thoreau, Henry David, and Jeffrey S. Cramer. Walden: A Fully Annotated Edition. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2004. eBook Collection (EBSCOhost). Network. July 5, 2014. "Overview: “Self-sufficiency.” Literature and its Times: Profiles of 300 major literary works and the historical events that influenced them. Joyce Moss and George Wilson. vol. 2: From civil wars to frontier societies (1800-1880). Detroit: Gale, 1997. Literature Resource Center. Network. July 4, 2014.Yang, Vincent. "Self-sufficiency". Magill's Survey of American Literature, Revised Edition (2006): 1. Literary Reference Center. Network. 4th of July 2014.