The Boy's Hakluyt: English Voyages of Adventure and Discovery

by Edwin M. (Edwin Monroe) Bacon

"The Boy's Hakluyt: English Voyages of Adventure and Discovery" by Edwin M. Bacon is a historical account aimed at younger audiences, written in the early 20th century. The book explores the early English voyages of discovery and colonization, retelling the narratives compiled by Richard Hakluyt, a pivotal figure in promoting English maritime exploration in the late 16th century. It serves as an introduction to America's colonial history while celebrating the spirit of adventure and discovery shown by early explorers. At the start of the narrative, the text discusses the publication of Hakluyt's pamphlet "Divers Voyages," which emerged in 1582 and served to promote English colonization efforts in North America. The pamphlet sought to incite the interest and ambition of the English public by compiling accounts of earlier discoveries made by Englishmen and others, detailing the potential for trade and settlement in the New World. Hakluyt's influential work eventually laid the groundwork for subsequent expeditions, including those spearheaded by prominent explorers like Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh. This opening portion sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of the achievements and failures associated with early English attempts to establish presence in the Americas.