Sir Walter Raleigh: In Life and Legend

by Mark Nicholls, Penry Williams

New biography of one of the key figures in British history focusing on both his writing and legacy. Sir Walter Raleigh is a figure writ large in popular imagination. Yet how can we understand this man who was soldier, voyager, visionary, courtier, politician, poet, historian, patriot and 'traitor'? We know some facts, and much can be learned from Raleigh's prose and poetry about his ideas, personality, feelings and values. Important new texts of his works have recently been published: we now possess reliable versions of his poems, his letters and his travel narratives. No biography of Raleigh, however, can be complete without an assessment of his posthumous reputation. Myths that accumulated around him tell us something about the man himself, but far more about the perceptions of his own and subsequent generations. Raleigh's talents as a writer ensured his positive legacy, but the appropriation of his legend for so many differing political uses has left us with a complex picture. In this original and important new biography Williams and Nicholls set this right.

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poet, soldier, courtier, colonial planter, proto founder of English America, Irish planter, historian, scientist is a very good roll-call for Walter. Edward Gibbon was close to choosing him for a biography before settling on the Roman Empire and called him "my hero". But, Walter Raleigh is now an unfashionable figure in the modern world and this book explains why this is - turgid history writer, introducer of tobacco and planter of Ireland.

A failed political career as a courtier and a gold prospector in the Spanish Main it was ultimately his loose disgruntled mouth upon the succession of King James I that cost Raleigh his head, but the dubious manner of his conviction for treason, the treachery of pretend friends and his extraordinary 45 minute speech on the scaffold has kept his serious flaws to the background - and they are notable. He was a bumbling schemer and had enemies at court which were ready to dump him in it. It's hard not to come to the conclusion that Raleigh was destined to fall. Ultimately, Raleigh became a hero to many during his life and he became a strange martyr for rights of every Englishman - despite the flaws which this book ably outlines.

This is a comprehensive biography (among many that are out there), with a lengthy chapter on Raleigh's poetry but also his History of the World - horribly outdated now of course - but still being referred to at the beginning of the 19th century.

What's surprising is such a full and tragic life has not had a serious biopic on the big screen.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started Nov 2 a bit tedious at first but the adventures in South America are wild. This book is really suited for readers who have an in-depth knowledge of British history.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent scholarly, yet very readable, account of Sir Walter Ralegh. Well researched and referenced, and a must for anyone interested in the man or the times.