Robert Kerr

Hailing from Scotland, Robert Kerr was a man of many talents who lived for 56 years while constantly evincing an air of scholarship, historical appreciation and linguistic prowess. His most famous contribution to the literary world was undoubtedly his awe-inspiring masterpiece, 'A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, ' which was composed of the enthralling narratives of numerous expeditions, encompassing extensively diverse topics. Kerr's academic pedigree was pretty...See more

Hailing from Scotland, Robert Kerr was a man of many talents who lived for 56 years while constantly evincing an air of scholarship, historical appreciation and linguistic prowess. His most famous contribution to the literary world was undoubtedly his awe-inspiring masterpiece, 'A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, ' which was composed of the enthralling narratives of numerous expeditions, encompassing extensively diverse topics. Kerr's academic pedigree was pretty remarkable, as he received his education from no less a place than the esteemed University of Edinburgh and later he was appointed as a distinguished professor at University of Glasgow. His expertise stretched across various subjects like languages, history, and literature. With this wealth of knowledge, he pieced together a meticulous account of the history of exploration - one that's considered comprehensive and authoritative. Kerr's 'General History' is still a crucial reference material for scholars and historians, owing to its precision and in-depth coverage. Beyond his role as a historian, he was also greatly esteemed as a translator. In fact, he was the brains behind translating some of the finest works of writers like Goethe and Voltaire into English. See less