A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia (eBook)

Thomas Harriot (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2022
33 Seiten
DigiCat (Verlag)
859-654717578-0 (EAN)

Infos

Thomas Harriot's 'A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia' is a groundbreaking account of the early English explorations in North America. Written in a straightforward and detailed style, the book provides a vivid description of the native people, flora, and fauna encountered by the English settlers. Harriot's meticulous observations and scientific approach make this work a valuable historical document of the 16th century. The book's inclusion of native language and cultural practices adds depth to the narrative, shedding light on the complex interactions between the English and the indigenous populations. In the context of early colonial literature, Harriot's report stands out for its honest portrayal of the New World and its inhabitants. Thomas Harriot, a renowned mathematician and astronomer, was a key figure in the English colonization of North America. His expertise in navigation and exploration likely informed the writing of this seminal text, which served to educate and inform English audiences about the discoveries in Virginia. Harriot's commitment to accuracy and objectivity in his observations adds credibility to his account, making it a valuable resource for historians and scholars interested in the early European encounters with indigenous peoples. I highly recommend 'A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia' to readers interested in early American history, colonial literature, and cross-cultural encounters.

Autor

Thomas Harriot (c. 1560 – 2 July 1621), an English astronomer, mathematician, ethnographer, and translator, is credited with remarkable contributions to the advancement of various scientific domains during the Elizabethan era. One of his most notable works is 'A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia' (1588), a significant publication that offered the early English-speaking world its first detailed depiction of the landscape, natural resources, indigenous peoples, and potential for colonization of what is today the American state of Virginia. Harriot's account stemmed from his participation in the expedition to the New World led by Sir Walter Raleigh, who sponsored Harriot's researches and recognitions (Shirley, 1985). As an adept observer and recorder, Harriot's ethnographic work predated the more often celebrated accounts by John Smith by over two decades, providing an early example of methodologies that would become crucial to the field. His literary style combined keen empirical descriptions with a prosaic delivery that aimed to inform and persuade a European audience of the possibilities presented by the New World. Beyond his contribution to early American literature, Harriot was also a pioneer in celestial navigation and a proponent of the use of the telescope for astronomical observations, further cementing his legacy as a polymath and a key figure in the scientific revolution of the Renaissance period (Kargon, 1966).

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 15.8.2022
• Verlagsort: Prague
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Sachbuch/Ratgeber ► Geschichte / Politik ► Regional- / Landesgeschichte
• Themenwelt: Reisen ► Reiseführer
• Schlagworte: 1600-1775 • 16th century America • Colonial America • colonial American literature • Colonial Period • Cultural Exchange • Description and travel • early American Literature • Early American settlements • early settlements • Early works to 1800 • Elizabethan explorers • English explorers • exploration narratives • historical accounts • historical travel accounts • History • Indians of North America • Indigenous cultures • Native American encounters • new world exploration • North Carolina • roanoke colony • Scientific observations • Sources • Thomas Harriot author • Virginia • Virginia History