JAMES EDWARD OGLETHORPE

by Joyce Blackburn ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 9, 1970

The founder of Georgia brought immediately to life and faithfully pursued in his several roles of parliamentarian, philanthropist, colonial administrator, military leader and consort of literati (viz. Johnson and Boswell)--but most eloquently rendered as ""the good white Father."" Since this is a personal rather than purely a political biography, some scenes and some conversations are recreated, and they add zest; nonetheless Miss Blackburn has been scrupulous in not claiming that the idea of Georgia as a refuge was initially Oglethorpe's, and she does not conceal his poor appointments and failure to counteract them. Quotation and recourse to primary sources lend interest to all of his activities, the causes he adopted (from prison reform to prohibition of slavery) and those he spurned--notably the Jacobite, dear to his family and costly to Oglethorpe: his failure to intercept Bonnie Prince Charlie disgraced him irrevocably in his later years. But it is his dealing with the Indians, and especially with Tomochichi of the Yamacraws, bespeaking not only honor but a spiritual harmony, that stand out; and from the author's familiarity with the sea islands--his courageous and clever defense of St. Simons against the Spanish. From his first sighting of the bluff that would become Savannah, the landscape is a living presence. Good reading and staunch history--an admirable book (far superior to Vaeth's) that should have been complemented with an index.

Pub Date: Sept. 9, 1970

ISBN: 1577363329

Page Count: -

Publisher: Lippincott

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1970

Categories: NONFICTION