About
Richard Hakluyt (1552/1553-1616) was an English historian and geographer, a major figure in promoting English exploration and colonization. Educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford, he was ordained as an Anglican priest. His major work, 'The Principal Navigations, Voyages, and Discoveries of the English Nation' (1589, expanded 1598-1600), compiles accounts of English maritime voyages. He also published 'Divers Voyages Touching the Discovery of America' (1582) and advocated for the colonization of North America. He contributed to the founding of the Virginia Company and the East India Company. Buried in Westminster Abbey, his name is perpetuated by the Hakluyt Society.
* 1552-01-01 — † 1616-10-23
Major works
- Divers Voyages Touching the Discouerie of America (1582)travel narrative
- The Principall Navigations, Voiages, and Discoveries of the English Nation (1589)compilation of travel accounts
- The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation (1598-1600)compilation of travel accounts
- Discoveries of the World (1601)translation
- Virginia Richly Valued (1609)translation
Key milestones
- 1582Publication of his first book, 'Divers Voyages Touching the Discouerie of America'.
- 1589Publication of the first edition of 'The Principall Navigations'.
- 1606Petitioned for the charter of the Virginia Company, which led to the founding of Jamestown.
Themes
explorationcolonizationnavigationmaritime historyimperial propaganda
Sources: britannica.com · britannica.com · cambridge.org