Books by William Bartram

William Bartram's journeys around North America in the late 18th century crossed through much of what was then Native American territory.In the 1790s when this book was first published, the United States was newly formed and was expanding beyond its original thirteen colonies. However, American settlement into the distant lands beyond the Appalachians was limited and gradual. The vast expanse of land was unknown, and much was inhabited by Native American tribes. Determined to traverse and discover the lands of North America, William Bartram set out from the city of Philadelphia, making his way toward the south of the continent. Along his way he describes the wilderness terrain, rivers, landscape and peoples he meets. Many of the Native American tribes he encountered were welcoming, viewing Bartram as a strange curiosity. He would join the natives to eat at feasts, observing their lives and customs, learning their dialects and eventually gaining their trust and friendship.

William Bartram's journeys around North America in the late 18th century crossed through much of what was then Native American territory.In the 1790s when this book was first published, the United States was newly formed and was expanding beyond its original thirteen colonies. However, American settlement into the distant lands beyond the Appalachians was limited and gradual. The vast expanse of land was unknown, and much was inhabited by Native American tribes. Determined to traverse and discover the lands of North America, William Bartram set out from the city of Philadelphia, making his way toward the south of the continent. Along his way he describes the wilderness terrain, rivers, landscape and peoples he meets. Many of the Native American tribes he encountered were welcoming, viewing Bartram as a strange curiosity. He would join the natives to eat at feasts, observing their lives and customs, learning their dialects and eventually gaining their trust and friendship.

Contains the author's known writings on Native Americans: a version of "Observations on the Creek and Cherokee Indians", "Some Hints and Observations Concerning the Civilization of the Indians, or Aborigines of America"; and excerpts from Travels. This title provides information on the history of these documents and supply annotations.

William Bartram travelled from Philadelphia on a four-year journey ranging from the Carolinas to Florida and Mississippi, observing plants and birds. Francis Harper has transformed Bartram's accounts of the southern states into this guidebook.