In the 95th episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson delves into part two of his third book, 'Parallel Lives of the Noble American Religious Thinkers and Believers,' focusing on a biography of Ralph Waldo Emerson. The episode highlights Emerson's views on the duties of a scholar, emphasizing self-trust, observation, and resistance to popular opinion. Emerson's American Scholar address is revisited, detailing his admiration for European writers and the philosophical impact of Emanuel Swedenborg. The episode examines the controversial Divinity School Address Emerson delivered in 1838, where he critiqued the clergy and conventional Christian practices, praised direct and personal divine revelations, and stressed the importance of the individual's moral sentiment. The backlash Emerson faced for his views is discussed, alongside his eventual shift from preaching to lecturing.

(00:00) Introduction to the Noble American Lives Podcast (00:21) Overview of the Parallel Lives Series (01:23) Roger Williams and Cotton Mather (02:46) Thomas Payne and George Whitfield (03:59) Ralph Waldo Emerson vs. Joseph Smith (04:56) Ralph Waldo Emerson's Scholar Duties (08:33) Emerson's Influence and Legacy (12:02) The Divinity School Address (26:16) Controversy and Aftermath