Thoreau's Field Notes, June 1850

Although Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) is now regarded as a major American author, during his lifetime he had to work at a variety of jobs to meet his modest needs. In the 1840s, he became proficient as a surveyor, an occupation that allowed him to spend a good deal of time outdoors. He worked not only for private property owners, but also for the Town of Concord, assisting in laying out roads and walking the bounds in the capacity of “Civil Engineer.” Thoreau's precision and accuracy as a surveyor were highly valued. At his death, he left his working papers as a surveyor - field notes and draft surveys - in the care of his sister Sophia, who bequeathed them to the Concord Free Public Library. Thoreau's field notes include his data on the courthouse and town house lots in Concord, compiled June 13, 1850.