A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels' is a compilation of travel literature from the 15th to the 18th centuries, edited by Robert Kerr in the 19th century. The 7th volume of this series presents a diverse range of narratives detailing voyages and travels to different parts of the world, including accounts of early explorations of North America. The book features the voyages of various European explorers, including Sir Walter Raleigh's expedition to South America, Captain John Smith's explorations of Virginia and New England, and the journeys of French explorers Jacques Cartier and Samuel de Champlain to Canada. It also includes narratives of the Spanish conquest of Peru and the exploration of the Pacific Ocean by various navigators. In addition, the book presents detailed descriptions of the geography, flora, and fauna of the regions explored, as well as the cultural and social practices of the indigenous communities encountered.
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.
