Thomas Harriot

eBook, ePUB

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

Beschreibung

In his seminal work, "A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia," Thomas Harriot adeptly combines observational rigor with an engaging narrative style to provide a comprehensive account of the English expedition to North America. Written in 1588, the text offers detailed descriptions of the geography, flora, fauna, and Indigenous populations of Virginia, showcasing Harriot's commitment to empirical observation amid the fervent imaginations of Elizabethan literature. This early work of colonial documentation reflects the scientific curiosity of its time while also engaging with the broader themes of exploration and cultural encounter that define the period's literature. Thomas Harriot was not only a noted mathematician and astronomer but also a significant figure in the early encounters between Europeans and Native Americans. His involvement in the Roanoke Colony expedition and relationships with Indigenous peoples informed his writing, allowing him to provide insights that were both informative and illuminating, bridging two vastly different worlds. Harriot's intellectual background and his position in the scientific revolution contributed to the distinctive blend of factual observation and narrative flair evident in his work. "A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia" is highly recommended for readers interested in the complexities of early colonial exploration and the interface between European and Native American cultures. Harriot's unique perspective and meticulous detail make this work not only a foundational text in American literature but also essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the legacies of colonialism and the early scientific discourse surrounding it.

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Barrierefreiheit

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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).

Produktdetails

• Verlag: DigiCat
• Seitenzahl: 33
• Erscheinungstermin: 15. August 2022
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 8596547175780
• Artikelnr.: 65261257