(Photo source
Charles
Fourier, Architect of Utopia)
1772
Charles Fourier is
born at Besancon, France on April 7.
1781
Fourier's father
dies leaving him a substantial fortune.
1789
After the
completion of his education at College de Besancon he
travels to Paris and then Rouen.
1791
He begins work as
an apprentice in commerce.
1793
Fourier is
imprisoned during social upheaval in Lyons.
1797
He becomes a
commercial traveler.
1800
Fourier becomes an
unlicensed broker.
1801
He begins work on
is early writings which include an expose of his
system.
1804
"Harmonie
Universelle" is published in December.
1808
"Theorie des quatre
mouvements et des destinees generales" is published in which
he begins to specify the objectives and theory behind his
ideals.
1812
Fourier's mother
died. She left him a small inheritance but it allowed him to
retreat into the countryside and continue his
writing.
1816-1820
Fourier resides in
the country to perfect his theories and his work on Great
Treatise but it was never published. Just Muiron, his first
disciple, contacts him.
1822
Fourier returns to
Paris to gain support and interest in his utopia.
1829
Le Nouveau Monde
industrel et societaire is published.
1832
Le
Phalanstre, the first Fourierist journal is founded and
a first attempt is made to establish the first phalanx at
Conde sur Vesgre. Only partial construction
prevailed.
1834
Summer Alcott is
inspired to start his own private school Temple School.
Alcott was not directly influenced by Fourier but by other
utopian visionaries in Europe, primarily in England.
1835
La Fausse
Industrie is published by Fourier and influences utopian
ideals in the United States.
1836
Alcott publishes
Conversations. It proved to be a failure.
1837
Fourier
dies.
1840
George and Sophia
Ripley find an ideal locale, at a milk farm west of Roxbury,
for a secluded society of idealists.
1841
160 acres are
acquired through the Joint Stock Company in April. Brook
Farm Institute of Agriculture and Education is
established.
1842
Share ownership and
board of trustees is established. Among the associates are
Nathaniel Hawthorne and William B. Allen. Finances were
administrated by Minot Pratt and Charles Dana, Ichabod
Morton and John S. Brown were consultants.
1843
Alcotts arrive at
Fruitlands bringing supporters with them . Curious visitors
from nearby Brook Farm arrive. July 4, Ralph Waldo Emerson
arrives for his first and only documented visit. By
midsummer crops begin to flourish however a small hint of
winter sends uneasiness throughout the community. In
September Alcott realizes that measure have to be taken in
consideration for harsh winter. By November members of the
community leave in search of better living conditions before
winter settles in. Only Charles Lane and the Alcotts remain
at Fruitlands. By November Abby gives Bronson an ultimatum
stating that she is leaving and taking the children with her
and that he is free stay with Lane or go with her. Alcott's
health begins to decline. By December snow settles in very
heavily and firewood is low. Lane is jailed for tax evasion.
Alcott leaves on Christmas eve for an association
convention. Abby fills the children's stocking's with
homemade toys on Christmas day.
1844
Snow continues very
heavily round January and Alcott returns from Boston. On
January 6, Lane and his son leave the Fruitlands and Alcott
gets into a deep depression shortly after. He refuses food
and water. By the 11th Abby with the help of a neighboring
farmer moves the entire family from Fruitlands and nurses
Bronson back to health.
1845
Brown and other
trustees regrouped into a new company called Brook farm
Phalanx.
1849
On April 13, Brook
Farm is sold at a public auction to John Plummer for about
$19,000.
1852
Hawthorne
publishes The Blithedale Romance.
1966
Fourier's Griffe
au nez is published.
1967
New Amourous
World by Fourier is also published.