A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels' is a collection of travel literature compiled by Robert Kerr in the 19th century, featuring accounts of voyages and expeditions from the 15th to the 18th centuries. The 8th volume of this series contains a diverse range of travel narratives, detailing explorations of different parts of the world. This volume includes the accounts of the travels of Marco Polo and the adventures of the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama, as well as descriptions of the geography, flora, and fauna of the regions they explored. It also includes narratives of the voyages of Christopher Columbus and the conquest of Mexico by Hernan Cortes, providing insights into the social and political context of the time. The book also includes an account of the travels of Sir Francis Drake, the first Englishman to circumnavigate the globe, and other explorations of the Pacific Ocean by different navigators. With its detailed and engaging accounts of exploration and discovery, this volume provides a fascinating glimpse into the early modern era of exploration and colonization.
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.
