Robert Kerr wrote a historical travel book in the 18th century titled "A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of the Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by Sea and Land, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time". The fourth book in the series concentrates on European expeditions to the Americas and Asia, including those of the Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, and English. The book contains a range of narratives, such as the first known sighting of New Zealand by Europeans and accounts of interactions with native Americans and Asian populations. Additionally, it contains in-depth accounts of Sir Francis Drake, Ferdinand Magellan, and Christopher Columbus' voyages. With its meticulous attention to detail and thorough use of original sources, Kerr's book is renowned for being a significant historical record of the period of discovery. The book, which was extensively read by both academics and the general public when it was released in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, helped people better grasp the globe and its history.
Hailing from Scotland, Robert Kerr was a man of many talents who lived for 56 years while constantly evincing an air of scholarship, historical appreciation and linguistic prowess. His most famous contribution to the literary world was undoubtedly his awe-inspiring masterpiece, 'A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels,' which was composed of the enthralling narratives of numerous expeditions, encompassing extensively diverse topics. Kerr's academic pedigree was pretty remarkable, as he received his education from no less a place than the esteemed University of Edinburgh and later he was appointed as a distinguished professor at University of Glasgow. His expertise stretched across various subjects like languages, history, and literature. With this wealth of knowledge, he pieced together a meticulous account of the history of exploration - one that's considered comprehensive and authoritative. Kerr's 'General History' is still a crucial reference material for scholars and historians, owing to its precision and in-depth coverage. Beyond his role as a historian, he was also greatly esteemed as a translator. In fact, he was the brains behind translating some of the finest works of writers like Goethe and Voltaire into English.
