Richard Hakluyt

Richard Hakluyt
Charles Eamer Kempe. · CC BY 3.0 · source
Name	Richard Hakluyt
Birth date	1552
Birth place	London, England
Death date	1616
Death place	London, England
Occupation	Geographer, Historian, Translator

Richard Hakluyt was a renowned English geographer, historian, and translator who played a significant role in promoting English colonization in North America. His works, which included accounts of Viking explorers such as Leif Erikson and Ferdinand Magellan's voyage around the world, helped to inspire English explorers like Sir Francis Drake and Sir Walter Raleigh. Hakluyt's writings also influenced the development of English trade and commerce with countries like Spain, Portugal, and the Netherlands. He was a prominent figure in the Royal Society and was acquainted with notable individuals such as William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson.

● Early Life and Education

Hakluyt was born in London, England in 1552 to a family of lawyers and merchants. He was educated at Christ Church, Oxford and later at University of Oxford, where he developed an interest in geography and history. During his time at Oxford University, Hakluyt was influenced by the works of Aristotle and Ptolemy, and he became familiar with the writings of explorers like Marco Polo and Vasco da Gama. He also studied the accounts of Spanish conquistadors such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, which sparked his interest in the New World. Hakluyt's education was further enriched by his interactions with scholars like John Dee and William Camden.

● Career and Works

Hakluyt's career as a geographer and historian began when he started collecting and translating accounts of explorers and travelers. He was particularly interested in the voyages of English explorers like Sir John Hawkins and Sir Martin Frobisher, and he worked to promote English colonization in North America. Hakluyt's writings were influenced by his interactions with merchants and traders from the East India Company and the Levant Company, and he became a strong advocate for English trade and commerce with countries like Turkey and Persia. He was also familiar with the works of cartographers like Gerardus Mercator and Abraham Ortelius, and he used their maps to illustrate his writings. Hakluyt's connections with institutions like the Royal Exchange and the Worshipful Company of Mercers further facilitated his research and writing.

● Influence on Exploration

Hakluyt's works had a significant impact on the development of English exploration and colonization. His writings inspired explorers like Henry Hudson and Samuel de Champlain to embark on voyages of discovery, and his accounts of the New World helped to promote English settlement in North America. Hakluyt's influence can also be seen in the works of writers like William Shakespeare and John Donne, who drew on his accounts of explorers and travelers in their own writings. Additionally, Hakluyt's connections with institutions like the Virginia Company and the Plymouth Company helped to facilitate the establishment of English colonies in North America. His interactions with figures like Sir Thomas Smythe and Sir Dudley Digges further underscored his influence on English exploration and trade.

● Major Publications

Hakluyt's most famous work is The Principal Navigations, Voyages, and Discoveries of the English Nation, which was first published in 1589 and later expanded in 1598-1600. This collection of accounts from explorers and travelers provides a comprehensive overview of English exploration and colonization during the 16th century. Hakluyt also published Divers Voyages Touching the Discovery of America in 1582, which included accounts of Viking explorers like Leif Erikson and English explorers like Sir John Hawkins. His other notable publications include The Voyage of Sir Francis Drake and The Discoverie of the Large, Rich and Bewtiful Empyre of Guiana, which was written by Sir Walter Raleigh. Hakluyt's works were widely read and influential, and they played a significant role in shaping English attitudes towards exploration and colonization.

● Legacy and Impact

Hakluyt's legacy as a geographer and historian is still recognized today, and his works continue to be studied by scholars and historians. His influence can be seen in the development of English trade and commerce with countries like China and India, and his accounts of explorers and travelers have inspired generations of writers and historians. Hakluyt's connections with institutions like the British Museum and the Royal Geographical Society have helped to preserve his legacy, and his works remain an important part of English literary and historical heritage. Additionally, Hakluyt's interactions with figures like Sir Joseph Banks and Captain James Cook further underscore his lasting impact on English exploration and discovery.

● Personal Life and Later Years

Hakluyt spent his later years in London, where he continued to work on his writings and translations. He was a member of the Church of England and served as a chaplain to Sir Francis Walsingham, who was a prominent statesman and diplomat. Hakluyt's connections with institutions like the University of Oxford and the Royal Society helped to facilitate his research and writing, and he remained a respected figure in English literary and intellectual circles until his death in 1616. Hakluyt's legacy as a geographer and historian has endured for centuries, and his works continue to be celebrated for their insight into the age of exploration and the development of English colonization in North America. His interactions with figures like Ben Jonson and John Donne further highlight his significance in English literary history. Category:English explorers