Robert Beverley – författare

While in London in 1705, Robert Beverley wrote and published The History and Present State of Virginia, one of the earliest printed English-language histories about North America by an author born there. Like his brother-in-law William Byrd II, Beverley was a scion of Virginia's planter elite, personally ambitious and at odds with royal governors in the colony. As a native-born American-most famously claiming ""I am an Indian-he provided English readers with the first thorough going account of the province's past, natural history, Indians, and current politics and society. In this new edition, Susan Scott Parrish situates Beverley and his History in the context of the metropolitan-provincial political and cultural issues of his day and explores the many contradictions embedded in his narrative.Parrish's introduction and the accompanying annotation, along with a fresh transcription of the 1705 publication and a more comprehensive comparison of emendations in the 1722 edition, will open Beverley's History to new, twenty-first-century readings by students of transatlantic history, colonialism, natural science, literature, and ethnohistory.

The History of Virginia, in Four Parts offers a detailed historical account of Virginia's early establishment and development, focusing on the initial settlements, interactions with Native Americans, and the evolution of its governance. The book begins by recounting the early attempts to settle Virginia, starting with expeditions and the initial discoveries of the land's climate and resources. The author emphasizes the promises of wealth and opportunity that attracted early explorers and settlers. The narrative also highlights the complex relationships with Native American populations, describing their initial hospitality and the growing tensions as settlers sought to claim land and resources. As the story unfolds, it explores various aspects of Virginia's history, including governance, trade, and the cultural dynamics between settlers and indigenous communities. Beverley’s work provides a rich and comprehensive look at the early challenges faced by the settlers, the resources of the land, and the interactions that shaped the region’s development. Through its detailed observations, the book offers valuable insights into the social, political, and economic landscape of early colonial Virginia.