Henry David Thoreau was born in Concord, Massachusetts, on July 12, 1817. He was born to parents that were very intelligent, yet poor and undistinguished. Despite their struggle with poverty, "their home was a center of affection and vivacity." Thoreau was the third of four children and he showed an early love of nature and was the "scholar" of the family, going on to learn many languages. Because Henry showed so much promise as a student, his parents sent him to Concord Academy. He later went on to attend Harvard College. With the help of his aunts, and by doing odd jobs and tutoring, he