The Travels of William Bartram: Naturalist Edition

Bartram's Travels Redivivus by Francis HarperThe Travels of William Bartram: Naturalist's Edition. By William Bartram, edited with commentary and an annotated index by Francis Harper. (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1998. Pp. lxi+727, a definitive scholarly work including William Bartram’s original unabridged text and figures, detailed endnotes, an augmented general index, glossary, halftone photos and comprehensive bibliography. ISBN 0-8203-2027-7)Reprinted from the 1958 Yale edition in affordable paperback format, this scholarly work continues to hold its position as the most comprehensive account of Bartram’s travels in the Southeastern Colonies. Although the typeface has been modernized and the original pagination abandoned, Bartram’s original text and figures appear unadulterated. Harper was fortuitous in his preservation of this magnificent work for future generations and only offers his commentary and annotations at the leave of the focal work. Thus, the reader is easily immersed, without distraction, in the awe inspiring natural beauty that is so eloquently conveyed in Bartram’s account. The powerful influence of this composition on later authors like Wordsworth and Thoreau is also evident. However, the reader must be prepared to read this account of Colonial Natural History exploration with credence given to its context. Bartram’s extensive journey through the Southeastern Colonies and Indian Territories from 1773 through 1777 covered parts of the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. Although Bartram was America’s first native-born naturalist, he was a Quaker in the British Colonies of America. Therefore, his travels were funded by a British benefactor, Dr. John Fothergill, for the purpose of finding and collecting new and useful productions of nature. Often the reader may find allusions to the ‘Almighty Creator’ and other such religious references, and in modern terms the appearance of such passages in an otherwise scientific account may seem oxymoronic. However, ‘Travels’ appeared at a time nearly coincident with Linnaeus’ system of nomenclature which was itself seen as a way of placing order in the creative hand of God and this perception of the world predominated scientific inquiry for many years prior to the appearance of Darwin’s treatise on Natural Selection.This work also represents the most popularized example of Francis Harper’s scholarly achievements. The detailed annotations provided by Harper are based on years of extensive research and he gives first hand accounts of the places he visited while following in the footsteps of Bartram. The reader may also find the expanded index and glossary useful. Further connection to this historic expedition is provided in the form of halftone photographs taken of noteworthy sites in the 1940s and ‘50s and detailed maps of the routes Bartram traveled.